This is the research I did on a Watchtower article. Some of this information might seem overwhelming but please read the highlighted comments at ussually the end. I went paragraph by paragraph to help you either follow in the article if you would like. Everything I researched was on the scriptures they used in the articles. Please at lease read the highlighted sections and give me some feed back wether you liked my comments or not, Thank You Everyone!
ETAN
Feb 15 2004 Watchtower
Art. Guard Against Deception
Deceive (v. t.) To lead into error; to cause to believe what is false, or disbelieve what is true; to impose upon; to mislead; to cheat; to disappoint; to delude; to insnare.
Deceive
(v. t.) To beguile; to amuse, so as to divert the attention; to while away; to take away as if by deception.Deceive
(v. t.) To deprive by fraud or stealth; to defraud.Paragraph 1 - This paragraph makes it seem easy to decieve people.
Paragraph 2 - Deception comes in forms of:
* all aspects of modern-day life
* Media reports / politicians
/ "lying about their actions" ... why do they do this: to make themselves look good / to make others look bad / to make fast money as being good politicians
/accountants & lawyers
/ "overstating corporate profits" ... why do they do this: to cover over money they took / to become rich with money fast
/advertisers
/ "misleading consumers" ... why do they do this: to sell you something they claim works / to become rich with money fast
/litigants
/ "cheating insurance companies".... why do they do this: to collect a large ammount of money fast
* religious
/clergy
/"mislead the masses by teaching false doctrines, such as the immortality of the soul, hellfire, and the Trinity.-2Timothy 4:3,4"....
....why do they do this: why churches?SB support church, support believefs, keep people away from the truth and bible .... why witnesses?SB to keep people from the truth .... NB to keep people in a church to collect money fast
2 Timothy 4:3,4
4
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is destined to judge the living and the dead, and by his manifestation and his kingdom, 2 preach the word, be at it urgently in favorable season, in troublesome season, reprove, reprimand, exhort, with all long-suffering and [art of] teaching. 3 For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. 5 You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do [the] work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.King James
1
¶ I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom:2
preach the Word. Be instant in season and out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, they shall heap to themselves teachers in accordance with their own lusts.4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned toward fables.5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry.fables -
Congregations moving from the hopes and methods set before us in the gospel to hopes and methods of their own misconceptions and unbelief. R1969:1 201969 Turned from the study of God?s Word to the doing of penances and vain repetitions of prayer; from faith in the precious blood of Christ, to the "mass" and its oft-repeated sacrifices for sins. R2229:5 202229 Fables respecting sacred relics and wonderful cures wrought by nails from the cross, pieces of the cross, bones of saints, etc. This period is known in civil history as "the dark ages." R2229:6 202229 Evolution theories and higher criticism unbelief. R2767:2 202767 Such as monkey progenitors millions of years ago. R4073:5 204073 Anecdotes, essays on science, politics, social uplift, etc. R3211:4 203211Paragraph 3 - 3 questions asked .... "Should we be suprised by all this deception?"
"Why is deception so prevalent today,"
"and how can we guard against being deceived?"
My first answers to these questions... Deception is everywhere ofcourse nobody is suprised by it. But then who would be suprised by someone decieving?
Typically putting trust into someone for whatever reason would then lead the person to have the ability to be decieved. But to get the trust you must first
over take the distrust. Ussually people would say they can see scams or scam artists and many are not decieved. But the ones that are decieved they
were because they put trust into something maybe to soon or acted as a last hope or only chance. As in get rich schemes, miracle weight loss, and
anything that seems to sound to good to be true ussually is.
Second answer is that it is so prevalent today because its an easy way for someone to become rich very fast. The people must not have morals. They
must not care about others. They would love money or themselves more than other people.
Third answer is... most cases you can catch it that your being scamed. But if fallen victom by a scam you deffinatly know it. You most likely loose a lot
of money, time, recourses, and for some loose the spirit to keep on living.
The article explains their reasoning about why deception is so prevalent by using part of the verse 2 Timothy 3:1,13
3
But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. 6 For from these arise those men who slyly work their way into households and lead as their captives weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, 7 always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.8
Now in the way that Jan'nes and Jam'bres resisted Moses, so these also go on resisting the truth, men completely corrupted in mind, disapproved as regards the faith. 9 Nevertheless, they will make no further progress, for their madness will be very plain to all, even as the [madness] of those [two men] became. 10 But you have closely followed my teaching, my course of life, my purpose, my faith, my long-suffering, my love, my endurance, 11 my persecutions, my sufferings, the sort of things that happened to me in Antioch, in I·co'ni·um, in Lys'tra, the sort of persecutions I have borne; and yet out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted. 13 But wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.In this section of Timothy chapter 3 this shows exactly that the lovers of money is the force behind deception. Also describing the individuals in verse 2 thru 5. Verse 5 seems to be to the most interesting verse applying to what is being looked at.
KJ Verson
1
¶ This know also: that in the last days perilous times shall come.2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3
without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, without selfcontrol, fierce, despisers of those who are good,4
traitors, headstrong, arrogant, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,5
having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. From such turn away.6
For of this sort are those who creep into houses and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,7
ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.8
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth-men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.9
But they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.10
¶ But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,11 persecutions, afflictions which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra-what persecutions I endured. But out of them all, the Lord delivered me.
12
Yea, and all who will live a godly life in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.verse 5
A form of godliness -
Being great sticklers for days, forms, ceremonies and ecclesiastical authorities. F248 209538 This form of godliness has spread to such an extent that the whole world is styled Christendom-Christ?s Kingdom. OV371:4 Must be professed Christians. R171:2* 200171 Outwardly Christians, but inwardly skeptics, covetous, extortionate unjust. R5389:6 205389 Tares. R5049:1 205049 R2277:3 202277 Those who should have been humble followers of Jesus were misled into pomposity. SM549:2 Which if possible would deceive the very elect. R365:4 200365 The nominal Church contains much of the world and its spirit. Outward ceremony flourishes. R2091:2 202091 The mind of the flesh will seek partnership with the new mind under certain conditions, but would prefer to recognize love in words, in profession, in manners only. R5123:5 205123 A combination of religious sentiments in sympathy with "political reform" movements, preparing for the predicted politico-religious "confederacy" ( #Isa 8:12 ) give evidence of this. R2091:2 202091 But denying - By their course in life. R2461:4 202461 Walking contrary to godliness. CR494:5 The power - The only power by which any of the fallen race can be reckoned godly or righteous in God?s sight is the precious blood of Christ which cleanseth us from all sin. R1319:6 201319 From such turn away - False brethren. R1319:3 201319 Those who deny the very foundation of our faith. R1453:5 201453 Now that the harvest time has come. R2461:5 202461 "Come out of her my people." ( #Re 18:4 ) R5696:6 205696 R2461:5 202461 "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, butLitteral Version
5 having an outward form of godliness, but having denied its power. And be keeping away from these peopleGreek In/Ling 3446 form - b.the mere form,semblance
Semblance (a.) Seeming; appearance; show; figure; form.Semblance (a.) Likeness; resemblance, actual or apparent; similitude; as, the semblance of worth; semblance of virtue.Titus 1:16 Refferenced to the word 'Power' in verse 5 10 For there are many unruly men, profitless talkers, and deceivers of the mind, especially those men who adhere to the circumcision. 11 It is necessary to shut the mouths of these, as these very men keep on subverting entire households by teaching things they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 A certain one of them, their own prophet, said: "Cre'tans are always liars, injurious wild beasts, unemployed gluttons." 13 This witness is true. For this very cause keep on reproving them with severity, that they may be healthy in the faith, 14 paying no attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn themselves away from the truth. 15 All things are clean to clean [persons]. But to [persons] defiled and faithless nothing is clean, but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort.
Litteral Version
9 holding firmly to the trustworthy word according to the teaching, so that he shall be able also to encourage others in the sound teaching and to convince the ones speaking against it.10 For there are also many who are insubordinate, idle-talkers, and deceivers, especially the ones of the circumcision,
11 whose mouth it is necessary to be silencing, who overturn or, upset whole households, teaching what is not necessary, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 A certain one of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies fig., gluttons!" i.e. a quote from Epimendes, c. 600 B.C. 13 This testimony is true; for which cause rebuke them sharply, so that they shall be sound in the faith,14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of people, turning themselves away from the truth.
15 All things indeed are pure to the pure, but to the ones having been defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, _but_ both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny Him in their works, being detestable and disobedient and disqualified for every good work.At first looking at verse 16 it is obvious that these people today would claim to be christians but yet not have the works of a christian. But as well looking at verse 11 shows that these people used unnecessary laws or teachings to gain the advantage over people for a dishonest gain on their part. As Titus 1:5-9 explain the kind of people that was needed to lead the people in the church. He then in the later verses described what was already out there and to be aware.
Looking at Titus 1:12 the witnesses have exchanged Cretans for World; now you have... "The people of the World are always liars, injurious wild beasts, gluttons" .... which by written article the Witnesses have done in the end of paragraph 1 "This experience illustrates a sad truth-lying and deception are commonplace in tody's world"
Paragraph 4 Why So Much Deception Today? -
My original answer to this question was basically money. In terms of the stated paragraph it is 'Satan'.
These are there refferences they used that 'clearly explains the reason why deception is rampant in this world'.....
1 John 5:1918 We know that every [person] that has been born from God does not practice sin, but the One born from God watches him, and the wicked one does not fasten his hold on him. 19 We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the [power of the] wicked one. 20 But we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us intellectual capacity that we may gain the knowledge of the true one. And we are in union with the true one, by means of his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and life everlasting. 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
John 8:44 42 Jesus said to them: "If God were YOUR Father, YOU would love me, for from God I came forth and am here. Neither have I come of my own initiative at all, but that One sent me forth. 43 Why is it YOU do not know what I am speaking? Because YOU cannot listen to my word. 44 Y OU are from YOUR father the Devil, and YOU wish to do the desires of YOUR father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of [the lie]. 45 Because I, on the other hand, tell the truth, YOU do not believe me. 46 Who of YOU convicts me of sin? If I speak truth, why is it YOU do not believe me? 47 He that is from God listens to the sayings of God . This is why YOU do not listen, because YOU are not from God." John 14:3025 "While remaining with YOU I have spoken these things to YOU . 26 But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach YOU all things and bring back to YOUR minds all the things I told YOU . 27 I leave YOU peace, I give YOU my peace. I do not give it to YOU the way that the world gives it. Do not let YOUR hearts be troubled nor let them shrink for fear. 28 Y OU heard that I said to YOU , I am going away and I am coming [back] to YOU . If YOU loved me, YOU would rejoice that I am going my way to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am. 29 So now I have told YOU before it occurs, in order that, when it does occur, YOU may believe. 30 I shall not speak much with YOU anymore, for the ruler of the world is coming. And he has no hold on me, 31 but, in order for the world to know that I love the Father, even as the Father has given me commandment [to do], so I am doing. Get up, let us go from here.
Ephesians 2:1-3 2 Furthermore, [it is] YOU [God made alive] though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and sins, 2 in which YOU at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience. 3 Yes, among them we all at one time conducted ourselves in harmony with the desires of our flesh, doing the things willed by the flesh and the thoughts, and we were naturally children of wrath even as the rest. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5 made us alive together with the Christ, even when we were dead in trespasses-by undeserved kindness YOU have been saved- 6 and he raised us up together and seated us together in the heavenly places in union with Christ Jesus, 7 that in the coming systems of things there might be demonstrated the surpassing riches of his undeserved kindness in his graciousness toward us in union with Christ Jesus.It could be at first glance the world is under control by satan and because of satan speaking the lie the world in turn lies.
Greek/English Int.Linguar 2749 - lies in the power of the evil one, i. e(that is). is held in subjection by the devil, 1 John 5:19
Subjection (a.) The act of subjecting, or of bringing under the dominion of another; the act of subduing.Subjection (a.) The state of being subject, or under the power, control, and government of another; a state of obedience or submissiveness; as, the safety of life, liberty, and property depends on our subjection to the laws.
Satan does have the power to control people by use of sin. Satan subjects people to many different lifstyles in many different countries. And in some of these places they worship idols. These were the things that showed satan to be a liar, making people worship idols. Here we are given the ability (the understanding, intelectual ability) to watch god and those idols do not have any grasp on us.
KJ 1Jn5: 20 And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and Eternal Life.
Lit 1Jn5: 20 Now we know that the Son of God has come, and He has given to us understanding, so that we shall know the true One. And we are in the true One, in His Son, Jesus Christ. This One is the true God and eternal life!
1271 understanding
KJ John 14:30 "Hereafter I will not talk much with you, for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.
Greek/Eng Inter.Ling and in me he has nothing;
Satans ability to control people and mislead them can become very strong. When the person is sinning Satan has hold of the person like a puppet and for a time being this person has no control over their actions but is forced to sin on account of Satan's influence upon an idea that is then turned into an action of sin and then death follows after the sin. The only way to stop sin would be to stop the thought process of thinking about such acts. But because of all the availibility of sin, the want for sin, the desire to sin has made satan powerful through many people. Once in control of one thing he will take the entire body over. Stopping the process is ussually thinking about god; Knowing god to the point of believing he can help you.
Paragraph 5 -
Everything in this paragraph sounds reasonable at first glance.
Rev 12:9,12
7 And war broke out in heaven: Mi'cha·el and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled 8 but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. 9 So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven say:"Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! 11 And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death. 12 On this account be glad, YOU heavens and YOU who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to YOU , having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time."
2 Cor 4:4
That is why, since we have this ministry according to the mercy that was shown us, we do not give up; 2 but we have renounced the underhanded things of which to be ashamed, not walking with cunning, neither adulterating the word of God, but by making the truth manifest recommending ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God. 3 If, now, the good news we declare is in fact veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through. 5 For we are preaching, not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as YOUR slaves for Jesus? sake. 6 For God is he who said: "Let the light shine out of darkness," and he has shone on our hearts to illuminate [them] with the glorious knowledge of God by the face of Christ.
Litteral 3 But even if our Gospel has been hidden, it has been hidden among the ones perishing,John 4:24
16 He said to her: "Go, call your husband and come to this place." 17 In answer the woman said: "I do not have a husband." Jesus said to her: "You said well, ?A husband I do not have.? 18 For you have had five husbands, and the [man] you now have is not your husband. This you have said truthfully." 19 The woman said to him: "Sir, I perceive you are a prophet. 20 Our forefathers worshiped in this mountain; but YOU people say that in Jerusalem is the place where persons ought to worship." 21 Jesus said to her: "Believe me, woman, The hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will YOU people worship the Father . 22 Y OU worship what YOU do not know; we worship what we know, because salvation originates with the Jews. 23 Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to him: "I know that Mes·si'ah is coming, who is called Christ. Whenever that one arrives, he will declare all things to us openly." 26 Jesus said to her: "I who am speaking to you am he."Litteral 24 "God is Spirit or, is as to His essence Spirit, and it is necessary for the ones prostrating themselves in worship before Him to be prostrating in worship in spirit and truth."
1 Peter 5:8
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt YOU in due time; 7 while YOU throw all YOUR anxiety upon him, because he cares for YOU . 8 Keep YOUR senses, be watchful. Y OUR adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour [someone]. 9 But take YOUR stand against him, solid in the faith, knowing that the same things in the way of sufferings are being accomplished in the entire association of YOUR brothers in the world. 10 But, after YOU have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called YOU to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish YOUR training, he will make YOU firm, he will make YOU strong. 11 To him be the might forever. Amen.Job 1:9-12
7 Then Jehovah said to Satan: "Where do you come from?" At that Satan answered Jehovah and said: "From roving about in the earth and from walking about in it." 8 And Jehovah went on to say to Satan: "Have you set your heart upon my servant Job , that there is no one like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad?" 9 At that Satan answered Jehovah and said: "Is it for nothing that Job has feared God? 10 Have not you yourself put up a hedge about him and about his house and about everything that he has all around? The work of his hands you have blessed, and his livestock itself has spread abroad in the earth. 11 But, for a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch everything he has [and see] whether he will not curse you to your very face." 12 Accordingly Jehovah said to Satan: "Look! Everything that he has is in your hand. Only against him himself do not thrust out your hand!" So Satan went out away from the person of Jehovah.Eph 6:11
10 Finally, go on acquiring power in [the] Lord and in the mightiness of his strength. 11 Put on the complete suit of armor from God that YOU may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; 12 because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. 13 On this account take up the complete suit of armor from God, that YOU may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after YOU have done all things thoroughly, to stand firm.The paragraph is correct in that satan has been very angery mostly of the little time he has left. Satan uses sin and there are many forms of sin to bring people down.
Although stating that ..."This master of deception is especially bent on devouring those who are worshiping God 'with spirit and truth'."... this I don't believe is a correct statement given the surrounding story of the verse. In that section of John chapter 4 Jesus is stating that the people are NOT worshiping god with spirit and truth by going and worshiping at Jerusalem or in a peticular mountain. If god is a spirit he would need to be worshipped as a spirit and not a mountain, temple, sun, stars, a cross, a statue, or any building/ buildings in peticular. God is a spirit and will be worshiped in that fasion but also with truth. We are all subjected to satan and sin, who is to say that they are being attacked more than another I feel is rediculous.
Paragraph 6 - Guard Against Deception by Apostates
The paragraph says that "Apostates may claim to worship Jehovah and to believe the Bible, but they reject the visible part of his organization.".
Apostasy (n.) An abandonment of what one has voluntarily professed; a total desertion of departure from one's faith, principles, or party; esp., the renunciation of a religious faith; as, Julian's apostasy from Christianity.Apostate (n.) One who has forsaken the faith, principles, or party, to which he before adhered; esp., one who has forsaken his religion for another; a pervert; a renegade.Apostate (n.) One who, after having received sacred orders, renounces his clerical profession.Apostate (a.) Pertaining to, or characterized by, apostasy; faithless to moral allegiance; renegade.Apostate (v. i.) To apostatize.
Matthew 13:36-39
36 Then after dismissing the crowds he went into the house. And his disciples came to him and said: "Explain to us the illustration of the weeds in the field." 37 In response he said: "The sower of the fine seed is the Son of man; 38 the field is the world; as for the fine seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; but the weeds are the sons of the wicked one, 39 and the enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is a conclusion of a system of things, and the reapers are angels . 40 Therefore, just as the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be in the conclusion of the system of things. 41 The Son of man will send forth his angels, and they will collect out from his kingdom all things that cause stumbling and persons who are doing lawlessness, 42 and they will pitch them into the fiery furnace. There is where [their] weeping and the gnashing of [their] teeth will be. 43 At that time the righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him that has ears listen.Revelation 17:5
3 And he carried me away in [the power of the] spirit into a wilderness. And I caught sight of a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored wild beast that was full of blasphemous names and that had seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and was adorned with gold and precious stone and pearls and had in her hand a golden cup that was full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her fornication. 5 And upon her forehead was written a name, a mystery: "Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth." 6 And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.2 Peter 2:19-22
17 These are fountains without water, and mists driven by a violent storm, and for them the blackness of darkness has been reserved. 18 For they utter swelling expressions of no profit, and by the desires of the flesh and by loose habits they entice those who are just escaping from people who conduct themselves in error. 19 While they are promising them freedom, they themselves are existing as slaves of corruption. For whoever is overcome by another is enslaved by this one. 20 Certainly if, after having escaped from the defilements of the world by an accurate knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they get involved again with these very things and are overcome, the final conditions have become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have accurately known the path of righteousness than after knowing it accurately to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 The saying of the true proverb has happened to them: "The dog has returned to its own vomit, and the sow that was bathed to rolling in the mire."To say that a person is a weed in the field or a fine seed is the person is the angels of the harvests job. It is obvious that their work would either bring upon a person weepping and gnashing of teeth or shine very brightly in that kingdom of the father.
Revelation describes that Babylon the Great would be drunk with the blood of the holy ones. Many of gods people were killed on account of speaking up to the rulers of this world. Baybylon the harlot in control of its wild beasts would execute these holy ones and become drunk not wanting to know or understand the rediculous message of the holy ones.
Drunken with - The great organized false church persecuted the dissenters, who protested against her errors, until she was intoxicated with her success, and deceived all nations, and gained their support. R984:3 200984 Intoxicated with its phenomenal success and continuing to intoxicate and deceive the nations. C104 207832 Not that those who have upheld and are upholding the various sections of Babylon have an evil intention; they are thoroughly "drunk" with their own erroneous theories. CR165:6The paragraph says that "Some even return to the God-dishonoring doctrines of "Baybylon the Great," the world empire of false religion."...This would seem that they are talking about Witnesses who believe the bible but then either leave or are disfellowshipped and go to another church. Now that they are there at the church they are in false religion and would return to their doctrines meaning possibly birthday parties, celebrating holidays, and/or returning to something they formally did once before.
You are either apart of Baybylon the Great or you are not. There is no middle ground. Baybylon was described in these verses to be adorned with gold and precious stone and pearls and had a golden cup in her hand. There is no destinction in this section of scriptures that would establish her to the world empire of false religion but it does say she was rich and that she was drunk and she was riding the wild beast.
In order to be claimed part of Baybylon the great you would have to be on top riding the wild beast, you would kill gods holy ones with the power you had, and you would be rich. Does that describe one Apostate or a group of Apostates?
Paragraph 7 --
This paragraph starts "What is it that apostates want?" ... now the real question would be what do disfellowshipped people want but if they cant get back upon trying to do so they get mad and then are apostates who are now not trying to get back in but get people out. If you asked "What is it that dissfellowshipped people want?" I would say in my own way that they need the elders help in some way, what ever the issue would be what help is it to throw a person that needs help away and make it more hard on them.
I would say that most likely a person disfellowshipped would not bother to go to any churches if he labeled the JWs as the truth. But if one does go to another church the question is would they try to bring people into that church as well. If you were to invite people to a church you most likely would go to people door to door or someplace familiar to make it an easy person to invite. Why would a person go to a JWs kingdom hall and try to invite someone who knows they would seem to be happy and believe that the JWs have the truth.
Acts 20:29,30 25 "And now, look! I know that all of YOU among whom I went preaching the kingdom will see my face no more. 26 Hence I call YOU to witness this very day that I am clean from the blood of all men, 27 for I have not held back from telling YOU all the counsel of God. 28 Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed YOU overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own [Son]. 29 I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among YOU and will not treat the flock with tenderness, 30 and from among YOU yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Colossians 2:8 8 Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry YOU off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ ; 9 because it is in him that all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily. 10 And so YOU are possessed of a fullness by means of him, who is the head of all government and authority. 11 By relationship with him YOU were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands by the stripping off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision that belongs to the Christ, 12 for YOU were buried with him in [his] baptism, and by relationship with him YOU were also raised up together through [ YOUR ] faith in the operation of God, who raised him up from the dead.
ACTs 20:30
Of your own selves - From your own company, from those whom you have hitherto regarded as members of the Body of Christ and who still claim to be such. R1319:6 201319 Especially amongst the elders, desirous of being leaders, they would not hesitate to produce a schism in the Church to help along their ambition. R4459:2 204459 Our severest trials come not from without. R5118:3 205118 Danger would be from within. R3172:4 203172 Shall men - Hymeneus, Alexander Phygellus, Hermogenes and Philetus, all false teachers, had their rise in Ephesus. ( #1Ti 1:20 ; #2Ti 1:15,2:17 ) R2221:4 202221 R4459:4 204459 Those who come under the power of the Adversary. R4477:4 204477 Arise - Be puffed up by ambition. R3172:4 203172 R5118:3 205118 R4459:2 204459 R2221:3 202221 R2219:6 202219 R1524:3 201524 "Heady." ( #2Ti 3:4 ) R2221:3 202221 Pride may sink its possessor in ruin and death. R496:2* 200496 Perverse things - Wrong, misleading doctrines. F248 209538 Signifies distorted, twisted. R4459:2 204459 Things different from what I, Paul, have taught. R3142:5 203142 "Many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of." ( #2Pe 2:2 ) R4477:5 204477 They will distort the truth, to make it harmonious with some false theory. R2221:4 202221 R4459:3 204459 There seems to be a class who pervert the truth, injuring the flock stirring up arguments that confuse the flock. R5388:6 205388 R1319:6 201319 Paul declared that many would "depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils." ( #1Ti 4:1-3 ) SM676:1; OV415:4 To draw away - Taking for granted that some of the Lord?s people are more stupid than the ass, they do their best to turn them from the Master?s crib. R4044:3 204044 Such, ministering to their own exaltation as teachers, would lead the flock into dangerous paths. R496:3* 200496 To injure the flock in general through personal ambition. R5118:3 205118 R4459:2 204459 R3172:4 203172 The tendency of knowledge is to puff up, make vain and conceited, and to become a temptation. R2219:6 202219 Disciples - Followers. R3142:5 203142 R2219:6 202219 Falsely claiming to be apostles. R5752:1 205752 Their sentiment seems to be, "This is my class, my flock," not recognizing that the Church is the Lord?s flock. R5389:1 205389 After them - Artfully attract followers after themselves. F248 209538 R5389:1 205389 The special trials of this "hour of temptation" ( #Re 3:10 ) begin with the leaders. R4473:6 204473Acts makes it clear that the overseers that shepherd the congregation would have wolves that enter into the congregation. Some of these same shepherds would NOT treat the flock with tenderness. Sugesting there is a lack of love within the congregation with these shepards. Those men would twist the bible inorder to follow not what the bible teaches, to follow christ, but rather to follow after themselves. Or be like me this is what the bible says. These bad shepards should and would loose most if not all of theiir flock as prophesied in Jerimiah and Ezekiel. Those who would be thrown out would turn to Jehovah as a shepard and some may even go to a new shepard.
Colossians 2:8 8 Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry YOU off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ ;
The Colossians shows that the people would be carried away by people because of traditions, elementary things of the world, or holidays and would not be decieved by Christ but by these empty philosophies of men. Because of some traditions of men would turn people away from christ. Because of stupid things like holidays would also turn people away from Christ. These don't have to be apostates, it could be someone/ Anyone ussually partaining to the world.
Paragraph 8 -
This paragraph asks "What methods do apostates use to achieve their aim?"... the answering verses are....
Matthew 5:11
11 "Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. 12 Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU .2 Peter 2:3,13
However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among YOU . These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them , bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. 2 Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. 3 Also, with covetousness they will exploit YOU with counterfeit words. But as for them, the judgment from of old is not moving slowly, and the destruction of them is not slumbering .
4 Certainly if God did not hold back from punishing the angels that sinned, but, by throwing them into Tar'ta·rus, delivered them to pits of dense darkness to be reserved for judgment; 5 and he did not hold back from punishing an ancient world, but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others when he brought a deluge upon a world of ungodly people; 6 and by reducing the cities Sod'om and Go·mor'rah to ashes he condemned them, setting a pattern for ungodly persons of things to come; 7 and he delivered righteous Lot, who was greatly distressed by the indulgence of the law-defying people in loose conduct- 8 for that righteous man by what he saw and heard while dwelling among them from day to day was tormenting his righteous soul by reason of their lawless deeds- 9 Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off, 10 especially, however, those who go on after flesh with the desire to defile [it] and who look down on lordship.Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble at glorious ones but speak abusively, 11 whereas angels, although they are greater in strength and power, do not bring against them an accusation in abusive terms, [not doing so] out of respect for Jehovah. 12 But these [men], like unreasoning animals born naturally to be caught and destroyed, will, in the things of which they are ignorant and speak abusively, even suffer destruction in their own [course of] destruction, 13 wronging themselves as a reward for wrongdoing.
They consider luxurious living in the daytime a pleasure. They are spots and blemishes, indulging with unrestrained delight in their deceptive teachings while feasting together with YOU . 14 They have eyes full of adultery and unable to desist from sin, and they entice unsteady souls . They have a heart trained in covetousness. They are accursed children. 15 Abandoning the straight path, they have been misled. They have followed the path of Ba'laam, [the son] of Be'or, who loved the reward of wrongdoing, 16 but got a reproof for his own violation of what was right. A voiceless beast of burden, making utterance with the voice of a man, hindered the prophet?s mad course.Covetousness (n.) Strong desire. Covetousness (n.) A strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; excessive desire for riches or money; -- in a bad sense.
2 Peter 3:16
14 Hence, beloved ones, since YOU are awaiting these things, do YOUR utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace. 15 Furthermore, consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul according to the wisdom given him also wrote YOU , 16 speaking about these things as he does also in all [his] letters. In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unsteady are twisting, as [they do] also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.2 Timothy 2:18
14 Keep reminding them of these things, charging them before God as witness, not to fight about words, a thing of no usefulness at all because it overturns those listening. 15 Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright. 16 But shun empty speeches that violate what is holy; for they will advance to more and more ungodliness, 17 and their word will spread like gangrene. Hy·me·nae'us and Phi·le'tus are of that number. 18 These very [men] have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they are subverting the faith of some. 19 For all that, the solid foundation of God stays standing, having this seal: "Jehovah knows those who belong to him," and: "Let everyone naming the name of Jehovah renounce unrighteousness."The paragaph quotes "Jesus knew that his followers would be victimized by those who would 'tell all kinds of evil lies against' them" (Mat 5:11)... how is this possible if these people are to be HAPPY because of these evel lies NOT VICTIMIZED!!! ... who would leave a church because of evil lies if told that they were to be happy because of the persecution the evil lies brought.
Covetousness is something that they are interested in money allone and will twist scriptures to continue in getting money. For seeking after this money they will be rich and enjoy going after someones money. Money is their reward for their wrongdoing. These are the false teachers and/or false prophets.
Paragraph explains "Sadly, apostates succeed in "subverting the faith of some."(Tim 2:18) ... but really those that subverted the peoples faith claimed that the resurrection had already occurred thereby hindering peoples faith of some because it was a lie.
Subverting (p. pr. & vb. n.) of SubvertSubvert (v. t.) To overturn from the foundation; to overthrow; to ruin utterly.Subvert (v. t.) To pervert, as the mind, and turn it from the truth; to corrupt; to confound.Subvert (v. i.) To overthrow anything from the foundation; to be subversive.saying that the resurrection has already occurred (Ref- 1 Cor 15:12)
1 Cor 15: 12 Now if Christ is being preached that he has been raised up from the dead, how is it some among YOU say there is no resurrection of the dead?2 Timothy 2:18 Have erred - The Thessalonian brethren seem to have drawn a wrong conclusion, supposing that Paul taught that the day of the Lord would surely come in their day. R665:3 200665 The resurrection - One of the most prominent doctrines of the New Testament. R1508:6 201508 In this text anastasis has the Greek article, showing emphasis and indicating that the first or special resurrection is surely meant. R1512:1 201512 Overthrow the faith - To tell fairly what another believes and to show that it is wrong is far from evil speaking. In many instances it is a duty to speak. R4524:3 204524
The Witnesses refference to resurection into corinthians was wrong because the resurection they talked about was about the first resurection and not the second that resurects the dead. These people were told that the first resurection had already taken place and that the number was completed thereby the people lost faith in thinking they could accheive that goal of becoming one of the 144,000.
Paragraph 9 -
Romans 16:17 17 Now I exhort YOU , brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that YOU have learned, and avoid them. 18 For men of that sort are slaves, not of our Lord Christ, but of their own bellies; and by smooth talk and complimentary speech they seduce the hearts of guileless ones. 19 For YOUR obedience has come to the notice of all. I therefore rejoice over YOU . But I want YOU to be wise as to what is good, but innocent as to what is evil. 20 For his part, the God who gives peace will crush Satan under YOUR feet shortly. May the undeserved kindness of our Lord Jesus be with YOU .
Isaiah 48:17,18 And now the Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself has sent me, even his spirit. 17 This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: "I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit [yourself], the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk. 18 O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. 19 And your offspring would become just like the sand, and the descendants from your inward parts like the grains of it. One?s name would not be cut off or be annihilated from before me."
Guile (n.) Craft; deceitful cunning; artifice; duplicity; wile; deceit; treachery.Guile (n.) To disguise or conceal; to deceive or delude.Guileful (a.) Full of guile; characterized by cunning, deceit, or treachery; guilty.Guileless (a.) Free from guile; artless. those who cause divisions (Ref-Jude 19) 17 As for YOU , beloved ones, call to mind the sayings that have been previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 how they used to say to YOU : "In the last time there will be ridiculers, proceeding according to their own desires for ungodly things." 19 These are the ones that make separations, animalistic [men], not having spirituality. 20 But YOU , beloved ones, by building up yourselves on YOUR most holy faith, and praying with holy spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God?s love, while YOU are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view. 22 Also, continue showing mercy to some that have doubts; 23 save [them] by snatching [them] out of the fire. But continue showing mercy to others, doing so with fear, while YOU hate even the inner garment that has been stained by the flesh.
Looks like a good paragraph.
Paragraph 10 -
Yikes looks like a bad paragraph.
Paragraph states "Second, we love the organization that has taught us the precious truths that so plainly separate us from Babylon the Great.".... How is it possible for people to say they love an organization when that love should be directed to god. Also "we recognize that our knowlege of God's purpose is not perfect; our understanding has undergone adjustments over the years."... says that its ideas were taken from men and not god. God is a steady wind were mens thoughts are like a swearling wind that goes back and forth.
Probverbs 4:18 14 Into the path of the wicked ones do not enter, and do not walk straight on into the way of the bad ones. 15 Shun it, do not pass along by it; turn aside from it, and pass along. 16 For they do not sleep unless they do badness, and their sleep has been snatched away unless they cause someone to stumble. 17 For they have fed themselves with the bread of wickedness, and the wine of acts of violence is what they drink. 18 But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established. 19 The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling.
KJ 18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Acts 6:7
7 Consequently the word of God went on growing, and the number of the disciples kept multiplying in Jerusalem very much; and a great crowd of priests began to be obedient to the faith.1 Corinthians 3:6 5 What, then, is A·pol'los? Yes, what is Paul? Ministers through whom YOU became believers, even as the Lord granted each one. 6 I planted, A·pol'los watered, but God kept making [it] grow ; 7 so that neither is he that plants anything nor is he that waters, but God who makes [it] grow. 8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one, but each [person] will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God?s fellow workers. Y OU people are God?s field under cultivation, God?s building.
Paragraph states that "we will not abandon the organization that God is pleased to use, for we see the clear evidence of his blessing upon it."... if this organization is believed to be God's organization why would any one think of abandoning it. And don't confuse abandoning the organization with abandoning people by ignoring them because they sinned.
In Acts the word of God went on growing first and then the disciples multiplied. If you teach without the bible to someone (using a skinny magazine) the people wouldn't be as attracted to that as they would a thick bible that is written by god himself. Once people see the BIBLE they then become part of God's building, Not of one organization.
Paragraph 11 - Guard Agains Self-Deception
Jeremiah 17:9 9 "The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it? 10 I, Jehovah, am searching the heart, examining the kidneys, even to give to each one according to his ways, according to the fruitage of his dealings. 11 [As] the partridge that has gathered together what it has not laid is the one making riches, but not with justice. At the half of his days he will leave them, and in his finale he will prove to be senseless."
James 1:14
12 Happy is the man that keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving him. 13 When under trial, let no one say: "I am being tried by God." For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone. 14 But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death.Romans 8:6
Therefore those in union with Christ Jesus have no condemnation. 2 For the law of that spirit which gives life in union with Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For, there being an incapability on the part of the Law, while it was weak through the flesh, God, by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk, not in accord with the flesh, but in accord with the spirit. 5 For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those in accord with the spirit on the things of the spirit. 6 For the minding of the flesh means death, but the minding of the spirit means life and peace; 7 because the minding of the flesh means enmity with God, for it is not under subjection to the law of God, nor, in fact, can it be. 8 So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God.
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Deceit (n.) An attempt or disposition to deceive or lead into error; any declaration, artifice, or practice, which misleads another, or causes him to believe what is false; a contrivance to entrap; deception; a wily device; fraud.
Deceit (n.) Any trick, collusion, contrivance, false representation, or underhand practice, used to defraud another. When injury is thereby effected, an action of deceit, as it called, lies for compensation.Deceitful (a.) Full of, or characterized by, deceit; serving to mislead or insnare; trickish; fraudulent; cheating; insincere.The scripture was showing that the heart not even you could know. It could be treacherous it my be the best, but only god knows.
Romans 8: 15,16 15 For YOU did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but YOU received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: "Abba, Father!" 16 The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God?s children.Paragraph 12 -
1 Samuel 15;13-15, 20, 21 .
10 The word of Jehovah now came to Samuel, saying: 11 "I do regret that I have caused Saul to reign as king, because he has turned back from following me, and my words he has not carried out." And it was distressing to Samuel, and he kept crying out to Jehovah all night long. 12 Then Samuel got up early to meet Saul in the morning. But report was made to Samuel, saying: "Saul came to Car'mel, and, look! he was erecting a monument for himself, and he then turned around and went across and descended to Gil'gal." 13 At length Samuel came to Saul, and Saul began to say to him: "Blessed are you of Jehovah. I have carried out the word of Jehovah." 14 But Samuel said: "Then what does this sound of the flock in my ears mean, and the sound of the herd that I am hearing?" 15 To this Saul said: "From the A·mal'ek·ites they have brought them, because the people had compassion upon the best of the flock and of the herd, for the purpose of sacrificing to Jehovah your God; but what was left over we have devoted to destruction ." 16 At this Samuel said to Saul: "Stop! And I will tell you what Jehovah spoke to me last night." So he said to him: "Speak!" 20 However, Saul said to Samuel: "But I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah in that I went on the mission on which Jehovah had sent me and I brought A'gag the king of Am'a·lek, but Am'a·lek I have devoted to destruction. 21 And the people went taking from the spoil sheep and cattle, the choicest of them as something devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to Jehovah your God in Gil'gal."James 1:22 22 However, become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves with false reasoning. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, and off he goes and immediately forgets what sort of man he is. 25 But he who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and who persists in [it], this [man], because he has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, will be happy in his doing [it].
This is a good paragraph.
Paragraph 13 -
Acts 9:1,2 But Saul, still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, in order that he might bring bound to Jerusalem any whom he found who belonged to The Way, both men and women.
1 Timothy 1:13 12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who imparted power to me, because he considered me faithful by assigning me to a ministry, 13 although formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man. Nevertheless, I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith. 14 But the undeserved kindness of our Lord abounded exceedingly along with faith and love that is in connection with Christ Jesus. 15 Faithful and deserving of full acceptance is the saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am foremost. 16 Nevertheless, the reason why I was shown mercy was that by means of me as the foremost case Christ Jesus might demonstrate all his long-suffering for a sample of those who are going to rest their faith on him for everlasting life.
Paragraph states "So the mere fact that certain entertainment does not bother our conscience is in itself no guarantee that our course is right. Only a healthy conscience properly trained by God's Word can be a safe guide." .... Was Saul at the time doing what was right in his conscience, Yes.
Insolent (a.) Deviating from that which is customary; novel; strange; unusual.Insolent (a.) Haughty and contemptuous or brutal in behavior or language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful; saucy; as, an insolent master; an insolent servant.Insolent (a.) Proceeding from or characterized by insolence; insulting; as, insolent words or behavior.
Acts 9:2 Desired of him letters - Armed with authority for the apprehension of the Lord?s followers. R2823:6 202823 Bring them bound - His latest move was to get orders from the high priest to bring the Christians of Damascus to Jerusalem to be tried before the Sanhedrin, rather than be tried in their local synagogue. R4355:5 204355 Nearly all persecutions have been sanctioned by some human law; we should regulate ourselves by the divine code. R2117:5 202117 13 although formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor (Ref-Phillipians 3:6) Phil 3:6
3 Finally, my brothers, continue rejoicing in [the] Lord. To be writing the same things to YOU is not troublesome for me, but it is of safety to YOU .
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the workers of injury, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are those with the real circumcision, who are rendering sacred service by God?s spirit and have our boasting in Christ Jesus and do not have our confidence in the flesh, 4 though I, if anyone, do have grounds for confidence also in the flesh.If any other man thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I the more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, out of the family stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew [born] from Hebrews; as respects law, a Pharisee; 6 as respects zeal, persecuting the congregation; as respects righteousness that is by means of law, one who proved himself blameless. 7 Yet what things were gains to me, these I have considered loss on account of the Christ. 8 Why, for that matter, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in union with him, having, not my own righteousness, which results from law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that issues from God on the basis of faith, 10 so as to know him and the power of his resurrection and a sharing in his sufferings, submitting myself to a death like his, 11 [to see] if I may by any means attain to the earlier resurrection from the dead.
Litteral
1 ¶ As to the rest or, Finally, my brothers and sisters, be rejoicing in the Lord. For me to be writing the same things to you* indeed is not tiresome, but for you* it is a safeguard. 2 Be watching out for or, Beware of the dogs! Be watching out for the evil laborers! Be watching out for the mutilation or, false circumcision! 3 For _we_ are the true circumcision, the ones sacredly serving in or, by the Spirit of God and boasting in Christ Jesus and not having placed trust or, having confidence in flesh,4 ¶ although _I_ have trust or, confidence also in flesh. If any other person supposes to have trust or, confidence in flesh, I even more:
5 circumcision on the eighth day, from the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, with respect to the law a Pharisee, 6 with respect to zeal persecuting the Assembly or, Church, with respect to righteousness, the one that is in the law, having become blameless! 7 _But_ whatever things were gains to me, these I have considered loss for the sake of Christ. 8 _But_ indeed, therefore, I also consider all things to be loss for the sake of the surpassing excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for the sake of whom I suffered loss of all things, and I consider them to be garbage, so that I shall gain Christ 9 ¶ and be found in Him, not having my righteousness, the righteousness from the Law, _but_ the righteousness by means of faith in Christ, which is the righteousness from God on the basis of faith;He was taking people out of the judging of the local church and putting them in prison to be tried by the synogoge. This he felt was right in his conscience. Later he then claims that he was rude to the people and that he had a lack of faith in the local churches. He then in Philippians states that all the things he did righteous by means of law were garbage or a loss because now that he knows the righteousness by means of faith in Christ and not the righteousness from the law. And he is overwhelmed because the undeserved kindness of our Lord abounded exceedingly along with faith and love
Paragraph 14 -
Psalm 26:2
Examine me, O Jehovah, and put me to the test; Refine my kidneys and my heart.
2 Corinthians 13:5 5 Keep testing whether YOU are in the faith, keep proving what YOU yourselves are. Or do YOU not recognize that Jesus Christ is in union with YOU ? Unless YOU are disapproved. 6 I truly hope YOU will come to know we are not disapproved
James 1:19 19 Know this, my beloved brothers. Every man must be swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath; 20 for man?s wrath does not work out God?s righteousness. 21 Hence put away all filthiness and that superfluous thing, badness, and accept with mildness the implanting of the word which is able to save YOUR souls.
Psalm 1:2 2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.
good paragraph
Paragraph 15 - Guard Against Satan's Lies
The paragraph states "He tries to convince us that material possessions brings happiness and satisfaction, yet the opposite often proves. true.".. their is a happiness with having material possessions but allong with having material possessions they can be taken away by people or by rust. There by store up treasures in heaven.
Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
10 A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver, neither any lover of wealth with income. This too is vanity.11 When good things become many, those eating them certainly become many. And what advantage is there to the grand owner of them, except looking [at them] with his eyes?12 Sweet is the sleep of the one serving, regardless of whether it is little or much that he eats; but the plenty belonging to the rich one is not permitting him to sleep.2 Timothy 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. 6 For from these arise those men who slyly work their way into households and lead as their captives weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, 7 always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.Galations 6:7 7 Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap; 8 because he who is sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh, but he who is sowing with a view to the spirit will reap everlasting life from the spirit. 9 So let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due season we shall reap if we do not tire out. 10 Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to [us] in the faith.
good paragraph
Paragraph 16
Matthew 19:16-22 16 Now, look! a certain one came up to him and said: "Teacher, what good must I do in order to get everlasting life?" 17 He said to him: "Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is that is good. If, though, you want to enter into life, observe the commandments continually." 18 He said to him: "Which ones?" Jesus said: "Why, You must not murder, You must not commit adultery, You must not steal, You must not bear false witness, 19 Honor [your] father and [your] mother, and, You must love your neighbor as yourself." 20 The young man said to him: "I have kept all these; what yet am I lacking?" 21 Jesus said to him: "If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower." 22 When the young man heard this saying, he went away grieved, for he was holding many possessions. 23 But Jesus said to his disciples: "Truly I say to YOU that it will be a difficult thing for a rich man to get into the kingdom of the heavens. 24 Again I say to YOU , It is easier for a camel to get through a needle?s eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God."
Matthew 24:36-42 36 "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; 39 and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken along and the other be abandoned; 41 two women will be grinding at the hand mill: one will be taken along and the other be abandoned. 42 Keep on the watch, therefore, because YOU do not know on what day YOUR Lord is coming.
Luke 16:14 14 Now the Pharisees, who were money lovers, were listening to all these things, and they began to sneer at him. 15 Consequently he said to them: "Y OU are those who declare yourselves righteous before men, but God knows YOUR hearts; because what is lofty among men is a disgusting thing in God?s sight.
1 Corinthians 10:8-11 6 Now these things became our examples, for us not to be persons desiring injurious things, even as they desired them. 7 Neither become idolaters, as some of them did; just as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink, and they got up to have a good time." 8 Neither let us practice fornication, as some of them committed fornication, only to fall, twenty-three thousand [of them] in one day. 9 Neither let us put Jehovah to the test, as some of them put [him] to the test, only to perish by the serpents. 10 Neither be murmurers, just as some of them murmured, only to perish by the destroyer. 11 Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived.
Psalm 73:18,19 18 Surely on slippery ground is where you place them. You have made them fall to ruins.
19 O how they have become an object of astonishment as in a moment! [How] they have reached their end, have been brought to their finish through sudden terrors!Proverbs 22:3 3 Shrewd is the one that has seen the calamity and proceeds to conceal himself, but the inexperienced have passed along and must suffer the penalty.
Shrew (a.) To beshrew; to curse.Shrewd (superl.) Inclining to shrew; disposing to curse or scold; hence, vicious; malicious; evil; wicked; mischievous; vexatious; rough; unfair; shrewish.Shrewd (superl.) Artful; wily; cunning; arch.Shrewd (superl.) Able or clever in practical affairs; sharp in business; astute; sharp-witted; sagacious; keen; as, a shrewd observer; a shrewd design; a shrewd reply.KJ 22:3 ¶ A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass by and are punished. Prude (a.) A woman of affected modesty, reserve, or coyness; one who is overscrupulous or sensitive; one who affects extraordinary prudence in conduct and speech.Prudence (n.) The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also, economy; frugality.Prudency (n.) Prudence.Prudent (a.) Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; -- opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior.Prudent (a.) Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman; prudent expenditure of money.
Psalm 73:20-24
20 Like a dream after awaking, O Jehovah, [So] when arousing [yourself] you will despise their very image.21 For my heart was soured And in my kidneys I was sharply pained, 22 And I was unreasoning and I could not know; I became as mere beasts from your standpoint.23 But I am constantly with you; You have taken hold of my right hand.24 With your counsel you will lead me, And afterward you will take me even to glory.Revelation 10:8-11
8 And the voice that I heard out of heaven is speaking again with me and saying: "Go, take the opened scroll that is in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the earth." 9 And I went away to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me: "Take it and eat it up, and it will make your belly bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey." 10 And I took the little scroll out of the hand of the angel and ate it up, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; but when I had eaten it up, my belly was made bitter. 11 And they say to me: "You must prophesy again with regard to peoples and nations and tongues and many kings."I'm not sure if the context of Psalms and Proverbs is quite what they were looking for but its a good paragraph.
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The paragraph starts "There is another lie that Satan has effectively used-the lie that Jehovah neither loves us nore values us."...If people feel that god doesn't love them I would say its a lack of faith on their part.
Proverbs 24:10
10 Have you shown yourself discouraged in the day of distress? Your power will be scanty.2 Corinthians 4:9
7 However, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the power beyond what is normal may be God?s and not that out of ourselves. 8 We are pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement; we are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out; 9 we are persecuted, but not left in the lurch; we are thrown down, but not destroyed. 10 Always we endure everywhere in our body the death-dealing treatment given to Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest in our body. 11 For we who live are ever being brought face to face with death for Jesus? sake, that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 Consequently death is at work in us, but life in YOU .KJ Proverbs 24: 10 ¶ If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small .
Proverbs 24:11,12
11 Deliver those who are being taken away to death; and those staggering to the slaughter, O may you hold [them] back. 12 In case you should say: "Look! We did not know of this,"(Ref- Mat 25:44) will not he himself that is making an estimate of hearts discern it, and he himself that is observing your soul know and certainly pay back to earthling man according to his activity? Matthew 25:4441 "Then he will say, in turn, to those on his left, ?Be on YOUR way from me, YOU who have been cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. 42 For I became hungry, but YOU gave me nothing to eat, and I got thirsty, but YOU gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger, but YOU did not receive me hospitably; naked, but YOU did not clothe me; sick and in prison, but YOU did not look after me.? 44 Then they also will answer with the words, ?Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you?? 45 Then he will answer them with the words, ?Truly I say to YOU , To the extent that YOU did not do it to one of these least ones, YOU did not do it to me.? 46 And these will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life."
If someone is to the point that they are close to death, spiritual death or physical death, and is deffinatly discouraged with their will of god's power barely alive. Why wouldn't one help that person? For the ones that do help are the kind god is looking for, not the ones that say "Look! We did not know of this" because that would be an excuse for their treatment of even the smallest sheep in the flock.
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This paragraph should be made into a Watchtower.
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A strainge comment ... "In response to a Watchtower article that warned about Satan's tactics, one Christian said:"I never realized that Satan tries to use my feelings to discourage me. Knowing this gives me the motivation to fight these feelings."... A very strainge comment , this was given by a Christian? If they know about Jesus wouldn't they know about Satan. Maybe this was taken from a strange country. Oh well.
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I am confused as to why this overseer asked if they believed in the trinity or hellfire if they were already witnesses. But oh well.
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Matthew 24:45 45 "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. 47 Truly I say to YOU , He will appoint him over all his belongings.
48 "But if ever that evil slave should say in his heart, ?My master is delaying ,? 49 and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, 51 and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where [his] weeping and the gnashing of [his] teeth will be.1 Corinthians 2:11 11 For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man that is in him? So, too, no one has come to know the things of God, except the spirit of God. 12 Now we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that have been kindly given us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by [the] spirit, as we combine spiritual [matters] with spiritual [words].
The Witnesses claim to be the faithful and discreet slave. Now if they are to give the food at the proper time then how do you explain... Paragraph 10 quote "At the same time, we recognize that our knowledge of God's purpose is not perfect; our understanding has undergone adjustments over the years."... if they did not have given people the right information or the information was given at the wrong time and now they have had to adjust; Are they giving the food at the proper time as the faithful and descreet slave is suppose to?
If they had ever said that Jesus did not come when he was suppose to wouldn't that be reason enough to admit that their knowledge was not perfict. Would that mean they were using human wisdom rather than those taught by the spirit to write their watchtowers at that time? You decide.
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Psalm 31:5 5 Into your hand I entrust my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Jehovah the God of truth.
Proverbs 3:32 31 Do not become envious of the man of violence, nor choose any of his ways. 32 For the devious person is a detestable thing to Jehovah, but His intimacy is with the upright ones. 33 The curse of Jehovah is on the house of the wicked one, but the abiding place of the righteous ones he blesses. 34 If it has to do with ridiculers, he himself will deride; but to the meek ones he will show favor. 35 Honor is what the wise ones will come to possess, but the stupid ones are exalting dishonor.