Comments You Will Not Hear at the 6-6-04 (week of 5-31-04 to 6-6-04) WT Study (May 1, 2004) Abbreviated Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
WT quotes
will be in red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources
will be in blueBE COURAGEOUS LIKE JEREMIAH
"Hope in Jehovah; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Yes, hope in Jehovah."?PSALM 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!?Psalm 27:14 (English Standard Version)
www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bibleOpening Comments
Job hunting is starting to look more promising. One called my references yesterday and no reject letters in the mail on the 3 other open possibilities. We are going to a retirement party tomorrow and the flower planting is almost done. My disability makes it slow going. We will be going to the SNAP conference in Colorado next weekend so the review will be abbreviated again. Bill Bowen of Silentlambs will be on the program again this year joining forces with SNAP and Linkup in fighting institutional sexual abuse, clergy sexual abuse. For once I know I won?t be bored at a "convention."
Once again the WTS/FDS goes back to the OT for an example in courage. Are there no examples in the NT? What of Jesus, or Paul, or Silas, or John?
Does the WTS/FDS even encourage its members to hope in Jesus?
Although both Paul and Matthew quote from Isaiah about hoping in Jesus, only 3 times does the WTS/FDS talking about this but over 100 times about hoping in Jehovah/God.
"Look! My servant whom I chose, my beloved, whom my soul approved! I will put my spirit upon him, and what justice is he will make clear to the nations. He will not wrangle, nor cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the broad ways. No bruised reed will he crush, and no smoldering flaxen wick will he extinguish, until he sends out justice with success. Indeed, in his name nations will hope.
" MATTHEW 12:18-21And again Isaiah says: "There will be the root of Jes´se, and there will be one arising to rule nations; on him nations will rest their hope."
ROMANS 15:12If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied
. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:19Is it because they cannot find a scripture in the NT about hoping in "Jehovah?"
START OF ARTICLE
Paragraphs 1-4
Jehovah?s Witnesses
dwell in a spiritual paradise. (Isaiah 11:6-9) In the midst of this very troubled world, they share a unique spiritual environment with fellow Christians, who are at peace with Jehovah God and one another.Translation: No other so-called Christians/Christian religions are part of this "spiritual paradise."
Translation: Everyone except JWs are "troubled."
Translation: Only JWs are at peace with one another?..
Anyone who as been a JW for any length of time knows about the in-fighting in every congregation, between the elders, between the elders and the publishers, between the publishers and other publishers, between congregations, between the circuit overseer and the elders?.
And their spiritual paradise is growing.
Then why have recent articles highlighting low meeting attendance and poor turnouts for the field ministry?
Moreover, we are witnessing the fulfillment of the prophecies dealing with "the last days." (2 Timothy 3:1)
No proof of this except mentioning wars, crime sickness, famine?.as if these things had not plagued humankind for thousands of years.
Outside the warm environment of our spiritual paradise, cold winds of opposition blow.
Jesus warned his followers: "Because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you. Bear in mind the word I said to you, A slave is not greater than his maser. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also." (John 15:18-21)
Things are no different today.
Some criticize, ridicule, or even?as Jesus warned?hate us. (Matthew 10:22)
For what merit is there in it if, when YOU are sinning and being slapped, YOU endure it?
. . . 1 PETER 2:20The WTS/FDS is being "slapped" for sinning not because they are doing what Christ commands. Notice how they don?t go into any detail about what the "misinformation" is. Anything negative about the organization must be wrong because they have proven they have God?s seal of approval. (see 1919 doctrine in other reviews)
Often, we are the target of misinformation and malicious propaganda through the media. (Psalm 109:1-3)
Some of us may start to lose heart?
I think many JWs are investigating the Internet and finding information that informs rather than misinforms.
Put our full confidence in Jehovah?.our love for him?
Jesus where are you?
God?s Word Strengthened Jeremiah
Paragraphs 5-7
Faithful servants of Jehovah (not Jesus?)
Lived during times of judgment when Jehovah executed his wrath on the unfaithful?
The WTS/FDS has taught that those executed during judgment periods will not be resurrected, such as the flood and Armageddon. Were those executed during Jeremiah?s time unworthy of a resurrection as well as those who were destroyed in 70 CE? Hmmmm?
Jeremiah was called to serve as a prophet in Judah?many were worshiping false gods.
The WTS/FDS calls themselves the "Jeremiah class" and considers themselves prophets.
w94
3/1 p. 16 Fruitage?Good And BadIn this 20th century, Jehovah has used the Jeremiah class, the anointed remnant, to warn the nations continually of his oncoming fury at the great tribulation.
w82
10/1 p. 27 Be as Men Who Are Facing Har?Magedon UnafraidOne thing is now certain: if the "prophet" class, the Jeremiah class, is facing Har?Magedon, it is also facing the fall of Babylon the Great.
Most of those responsible to instruct the people?the prophets and the priests?were not on the side of truth.
Hmmmm????.
Jeremiah?s territory was largely unresponsive, and he often met with strong opposition.
Perhaps you at times have felt the same way?wanting to give up.
So JWs are "losing heart" and "wanting to give up."
Jeremiah?s Companions
Paragraphs 8-9
Jeremiah was not alone?he had companions?his companions did not act wisely. Urijah was busy delivering warnings against Jerusalem and Judah?when King Jehoiakim ordered that Urijah be put to death, the prophet fled in fear to Egypt. That did not save him?brought back to Jerusalem, where he was killed. Now how is this any different than when David fled from King Saul. Was Urijah a coward and David a hero? *** w00 2/1 p. 8 How Much Longer for the Wicked? ***True, Urijah did not maintain his trust in Jehovah, becoming fearful and fleeing to Egypt. *** w95 3/15 p. 19 Benefits of Fearing the True God *** On the other hand, in the days of King Jehoiakim, Urijah the son of Shemaiah was so overcome with fear that he abandoned his service as a prophet of Jehovah and fled the country, only to be seized and killed anyway. *** w89 1/1 p. 30 Why Should We Fear God? *** Unlike Jeremiah, Urijah allowed fear of the king to ensnare him. He stopped preaching and fled from his assignment. Eventually, the king caught him and had him killed. (Jeremiah 26:20-23) How could Urijah have avoided that sad fate? By developing a fear of Jehovah that was stronger than his fear of man. *** w64 8/15 p. 488 Avoid the Ensnaring Fear of Man *** Observe how Jeremiah fearlessly continued preaching even in the face of threats upon his life, while the contemporary prophet Urijah "became afraid and ran away and came into Egypt." What was the outcome? Jeremiah, who trusted in Jehovah, was protected, but Urijah, who trembled at men, was sought out from Egypt by King Jehoiakim, "who then struck him down with the sword and cast his dead body into the graveyard." How true it is that trembling at men is what lays a snare, but he that trusts in Jehovah is protected! Consequently Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he dodged from before Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David himself fled that he might escape during that night. 1 SAMUEL 19:10 However, David said in his heart: "Now I shall be swept away one day by Saul?s hand. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape without fail to the land of the Phi·lis´tines; and Saul must despair of me in looking for me any longer in all the territory of Israel, and I shall certainly escape from his hand." 1 SAMUEL 27:1 Not a word from the WTS/FDS accusing David of having "fear of man." Another companion of Jeremiah was his secretary, Baruch?he too lost his spiritual focus?discouraged, began to lose appreciation for spiritual things?he was readjusted?regained his spiritual balance! The WTS/FDS is saying that the rank and file are not attending meetings and going in the ministry enough?that they are becoming materialistic, more concerned about their own comfort.w02 10/1 p. 14 Jehovah Blesses and Protects Those Who Are Obedient Can you sense in Jehovah?s words to Baruch His deep concern for this fine man, who had served him so faithfully and courageously alongside Jeremiah? Likewise today, Jehovah is deeply concerned about those who are tempted to pursue what they think are greener pastures in this system of things.w01 4/15 p. 24 How to Cope With Negative FeelingsBaruch responded to counsel and avoided materialistic distractions.Jehovah Supported His Prophet Paragraphs 10-12 "They will be certain to fight against you"Attempts were made to kill Jeremiah Today many of Jehovah?s Witnesses endure afflictions?caused by our own imperfections, others by the disarray in which the world finds itself?discouraging?we can expect to be discouraged from time to time?tests the depth of our love of Jehovah (not Jesus?). Not to let discouragement make us withdraw from Jehovah?s service as Urijah did. So our afflictions are our own fault or the "world?s" not from the WTS/FDS that flip-flops on its teachings? 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. JAMES 1:13 How To Fight DiscouragementParagraphs 13-15
Jeremiah was in regular communication with Jehovah God?a fine example to follow?David? Jehovah does not refuse to listen to us. Rather, he assures us that ?he cares for us." (1 Peter 5: 6,7) However, it would not be reasonable to pray to Jehovah and then not listen to what he says, would it?Not listen to the WTS/FDS is more like it.
How does Jehovah speak to us??Since Jeremiah was a prophet (and the WTS/FDS considers itself a prophet?see above), Jehovah communicated directly with him. Jeremiah was eager to declare?. Jehovah does not communicate directly with anyone today.Actually the WTS teaches that except for the 3 times God spoke when Jesus was on earth, that God never spoke directly to any human but through the Word, Jesus.
w90 5/1 p. 30 Questions From ReadersWhat is the basic point, though? Often when we read of God speaking to humans, we note that he did so through obedient spirit creatures who spoke for him. (Compare Genesis 18:2, 3, 33; 19:1; Exodus 3:2-4; Judges 6:11, 12, 20-22.) Jesus? designation as the Word suggests that he was one whom God often used to communicate with his other creatures. Did that include God?s perfect son Adam? Most likely.?Luke 3:38.However, we do have God?s words in the pages of the Bible (which can only be explained by the WTS/FDS).w94 10/1 p. 8 The Bible?A Book Meant to Be Understood Even as Bible prophecy pointed forward to the Messiah, it also directs us to the close-knit body of anointed Christian Witnesses that now serve as the faithful and discreet slave. It helps us to understand the Word of God. All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah?s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.?John 6:68.If we have a serious approach to our study of the Bible and meditate deeply on what we learn?carry Jehovah?s name (not "witnesses of Jesus"?)And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus .. . . REVELATION 17:6 but YOU will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon YOU, and YOU will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Ju·de´a and Sa·mar´i·a and to the most distant part of the earth." ACTS 1:8 No other people in the world today declares Jehovah?s name?only his witnesses announce the good news of God?s established Kingdom (Messianic kingdom?) and teach meek ones to become disciples of Jesus Christ.That pretty much trashes any other Christian religion. Notice no proof is presented that the kingdom is "established."
Let us Watch Our Associations Paragraphs 16-17"I have not sat down in the intimate group of those playing jokes and begun exulting." Jeremiah would rather be alone than be corrupted by bad companions. We today view matters the same way?"bad associations spoil useful habits." (1 Corinthians 15:33) Bad associations can allow the spirit of the world to pollute our thinking. Identify harmful associations and shun them completely. What do you think he (Paul) would say to a Christian who watched immoral or violent movies or violent sports (like football and soccer????) How would he counsel a brother (sister?) pursuing friendships with total strangers on the Internet? What would he think of a Christian who spent hour after hour playing video games or watching television but did not have good personal study habits?Why do they pick Paul, why not Jesus? Why are only brothers mentioned pursuing friendships on the Internet?
Guilt, guilt, guilt?.
Continue in the Spiritual Paradise Paragraphs 18-20We treasure our spiritual paradise. There is nothing that remotely resembles it in the world today. Even unbelievers comment on the love, consideration, and kindness that Christians (implying these are only JWs) have for one another.Now is a perfect opportunity for the WTS/FDS trot out a self-serving example?.
Never should we allow those who hate our Bible message to intimidate us and make us compromise our faith?those who are fighting against us are fighting against God?You can see why opposition makes JWs think that God is on their side.
The following article is addressed directly to the youths among us (not many and fast leaving).Concluding CommentsSounds to me like the WTS/FDS is trying to plug the holes, the faithful are fleeing or at least slowing down. And the ones leaving in droves?"young ones."
Guilt and fear drives this article not love. If a JW is outside the spiritual paradise it is the same as being outside the "ark" of Noah?s day.
w86 1/1 p. 14 Days Like "the Days of Noah"As a place of security and survival, the ark represents the spiritual paradise that Jehovah has been building up among his worshipers since 1919. It is the condition of a restored peaceful relationship with God. It is His arrangement for preservation of the Greater Noah?s antitypical family through the "great tribulation."Blondie