Comments You Will Not Hear at the January 30, 2005 WT Study (December 15, 2004) Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
WT quotes from today?s WT
will be in red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources
will be in blueDO YOU ACCEPT JEHOVAH?S THE WTS HELP?
"Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid."?Hebrews 13:6 (NWT)
That should make you feel like saying, "The Lord helps me! Why should I be afraid of what people can do to me?"?Hebrews 13:6 (CEV)
www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bible
Opening Comments
START OF ARTICLE
w03
3/15 p. 27 ?The Lips of Truth Will Endure Forever? ***Jehovah gives us sound counsel through his Word and through his organization, using the publications provided by "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45; 2 Timothy 3:16) How foolish to reject good advice and insist on our own way! We "must be swift about hearing" when Jehovah, "the One teaching men knowledge," counsels us through his channel of communication.?James 1:19; Psalm 94:10.
Paragraphs 1-3
Illustration: Imagine that you are hiking along a mountain trail. You are not alone, though, for a guide has offered to accompany you, and he is the best guide there is?he extends his hand to help you over a particularly dangerous spot. Would you refuse his help?
The question is, the WTS see this as God?s hand or their own hand acting in God?s place?
As Christians (only JWs are true Christians though), we have a challenging path to follow?the Bible shows that the best Guide we could ever find, Jehovah God, allows humans to walk with him?surely none of us would want to refuse his aid!
Or in reality, not refuse what the WTS offers.
w03
9/1 p. 17 Trust in Jehovah Completely in Times of Distress ***Are we not grateful for the trustworthy guidance Jehovah provides through his organization?
Angelic Help
Paragraphs 4-7
Do angels help Jehovah?s present-day servants"? Yes, they do.
Granted, today they do not appear visibly in order to deliver true worshipers
(JWs only) from danger. Even in Bible times, angels only rarely intervened in such a way. Most of what they did was invisible to human eyes, as is the case today.Revelation 14:6: "I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people."
Of course, the angels are not preaching directly.
As in last week?s article, the WTS tries to show that the angels are directing JWs to the "sheep." In view of the times, why then are JWs going so often to people who are not interested in their message or to homes where people are never home?
For example, we often hear that in the course of their ministry, Jehovah?s Witnesses come across a person who had only recently prayed to God for help in finding the truth. Such experiences occur far too often to be dismissed as mere coincidences. (If you have the WT-CD, search using Revelation 14:6 and you will find the many examples)
My question is, if we asked the Mormons or other Christian groups that preach door to door, would they have the same feelings and similar proof? What about all the people who prayed and no one came?has that been evaluated?
Help From the Chief of the Angels
Paragraphs 8-10
Jehovah also provides us with another type of angelic help.Revelation 10:1 (CEV)
I saw another powerful angel come down from heaven. This one was covered with a cloud, and a rainbow was over his head. His face was like the sun, his legs were like columns of fire, This visionary angel evidently (buzzword meaning the WTS can?t be too definite) pictures the glorified Jesus Christ in heavenly power. (Revelation 1:13,16)Is Jesus really an angel? In a sense (buzzword again letting the WTS couch their opinion), yes, for he is an archangel. (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
In a sense???? Either he is or he isn?t an angel.
What is an archangel? That word means "principal angel," or "chief angel." Jesus is the mightiest of all of Jehovah?s spirit sons.Now ask yourself, why did this point have to be brought? In what way does it enhance Jesus? position as a Christian?s helper? Isn?t Jesus in a position higher than all others except God?s? Why lower him to an archangel? Does he have to be an angel to be a helper?
"If anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one." (1 John 2:1)
Finally, the WTS quotes this scripture. Jesus was left out of the picture in last week?s article.
Why did John suggest (???)) that Jesus is our "helper" particularly when we "commit a sin"?Jesus laid down his life as a sacrifice for our sins?to plead in our behalf?accept it?repent of our sins and seek forgiveness?avoid repeating our sins.Jesus set the perfect example for us?his example guides us.
If that is true, why does the WTS almost always uses OT examples for JWs to follow?
(Is Jesus an archangel?is he Michael the archangel?a topic by itself?some WT quotes are at the end of this review.)
The Help of the Holy SpiritParagraphs 11-14
John 14:16,17:"I will request the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, the spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive."
Holy spirit, is not a person but a force?Jehovah?s active force
Used in creating the universe, in performing spectacular miracles, and in providing visionary revelations of his will.
Since Jehovah is not using his spirit in those specific ways today, does that mean that we do not need it?
Makes you wonder what the WTS means by spirit-directed then?
If in faith we sincerely ask him for holy spirit, it is inconceivable that he would deny us this gift. The question, then, is, Do we ask for it? We have good reason to make that request in our prayers every day.Second, we accept that gift by working in harmony with it.
To illustrate: Suppose a Christian (only JWs) is struggling with a tendency to view pornography. He (only men?) has prayed for holy spirit to help him resist this filthy (interesting adjective) habit. He has sought counsel from Christian elders, and they have advised him to take decisive action, refraining from even going near such debasing material. What if he ignores their counsel?
Is he working in harmony with his prayer for the holy spirit to help him?
Or is he, rather, running the risk of grieving God?s spirit and losing out on this gift? (Ephesians 4:30)
What is grieving the holy spirit? Is it the same as sinning against the holy spirit?
w92 9/15 p. 18 Jehovah?s Spirit Leads His People ***Cooperate fully with God?s spirit-led earthly organization. Never allow yourself to veer off on an unscriptural course that would amount to grieving the holy spirit, for this might eventually lead to the withdrawal of it and thus to spiritual disaster. w83 10/15 p. 24 Reject Worldly Desires! ***If left unchecked, worldly desires can cause us to grieve God?s holy spirit by disregarding it, taking a course contrary to its leading and setting our heart on objectives other than those toward which the spirit would impel us. "Grieving God?s holy spirit" also means rejecting his Word. (Ephesians 4:30; compare Acts 7:51-53.) This can lead to deliberate rebellion against the evident manifestation of Jehovah?s spirit and can mean blasphemy against that spirit, an unforgivable sin. (Matthew 12:31, 32; Mark 3:29; compare Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31.) So may we never start down the path of independence and indulgence in worldly practices from which we once were rescued through Jehovah?s undeserved kindness. Instead, let us pray for the holy spirit and yield to its influence, which will help us to resist the world and its enticements.?Psalm 143:10; Luke 11:13. Help From God?s WordParagraphs 15-18
Rather than taking the Holy Scriptures for granted?need to make Bible reading a part of our regular routine.Psalm 1:2,3:
We are associated with an organization that brings the pure water of truth right to us, but we must do our part.Isn?t the water of truth in the Bible?was that brought to use by the WTS or did many, many other people or organizations play a large part in that?
How is responsible for translating and distributing more Bibles, Protestant groups or the WTS?
Neither is it a charm, or a talisman?as if we could shut our eyes, let our Bible fall open at random, and then expect the answer to our questions to appear on the page before us.Are JWs doing this?
Diligent and careful (translation: using only WTS publications) research is often needed in order to find Scriptural counsel that addresses our specific needs. We have many Bible-based publications (WTS publications only) to help us in our search. Help Through Fellow BelieversParagraphs 19-24
Jehovah?s human servants (only JWs) have always been a source of help to one another.No doubt (buzzword) each of us can think of instances in which we received just the help we needed at the right time from our fellow believers.Right time: translation: if you didn?t get it, it wasn?t the right time (see: wait on Jehovah)
For instance, can you recall some article in the Watchtower or Awake?Jehovah brought you that help by means of "the faithful and discreet slave" assigned to provide "food at the proper time."?Matthew 24:45-47.Often?more direct?a Christian elder gives a talk?makes a shepherding call?offers kindly counsel?
One thankful Christian writes?"In field service, he took the time to draw me out."When was the last time an elder worked in field service with you. Did all the elders jump into a car together and take off, leaving the sheep to fend for themselves?do they only work with the brothers in the congregation??
Just the night before, I had prayed to Jehovah, asking for someone I could talk to?I am thankful to Jehovah for sending this elder to me.:"gifts in men"Do/did the elders in your congregation make themselves available?
Automobile accident?daughter killed; father, severely injured?couple in congregation took this grieving couple into their home and cared for them for several weeks?Where was the rest of the congregation? Did they help? Did they figure they were off the hook because of these 2 people?
Of course, not all acts of kindness involve such tragedy and personal sacrifice?kind word or thoughtful act?just the help you needed?Great joy comes from giving of ourselves to our brothers and sisters.
BUT
Neither the joy of giving such help nor the uplift of receiving it comes to those who deliberately isolate themselves. (Proverbs 18:1)SO
Hence, let us be faithful in gathering together at Christian meetings so that we can encourage one another.?Hebrews 10:24,25.If we endure together in faith, we will live to see Jehovah?s most spectacular and glorious acts in all history!And what would that be, the wholesale destruction of over 6 billion men, women and children, forever?
Concluding CommentsIn the OT and NT, did those who served God spend hours reading books and publications prepared by their religious leaders? Why should people today? Isn?t the Bible enough?
Matthew 15:6-9 (CEV)6Is this any way to show respect to your parents? You ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching.7And you are nothing but show-offs! Isaiah the prophet was right when he wrote that God had said,
8"All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me.
9It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans."
w02 10/1 p. 12 Jehovah Blesses and Protects Those Who Are Obedient However, if we stay close to God and respond swiftly to the direction we receive through his Word and organization, we can be assured of his protective care.
Blondie
***g02 2/8 pp. 16-17 The Bible?s Viewpoint Who Is Michael the Archangel?
ACCORDING to the Bible, there are millions of angelic creatures inhabiting the spirit realm. (Daniel 7:9, 10; Revelation 5:11) From beginning to end, the Scriptures make hundreds of references to the angels that remain loyal to God. Yet, only two of these spirit creatures are mentioned by name. One is the angel Gabriel, who personally delivered messages from God to three different individuals over a period of some 600 years. (Daniel 9:20-22; Luke 1:8-19, 26-28) The other angel mentioned by name in the Bible is Michael.Michael is clearly an outstanding angel. For example, in the book of Daniel, Michael is described as fighting wicked demons in behalf of Jehovah?s people. (Daniel 10:13; 12:1) In the inspired letter of Jude, Michael confronts Satan in a dispute over Moses? body. (Jude 9) The book of Revelation shows that Michael wars with Satan and his demons and hurls them out of heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9) No other angel is portrayed as having such great power and authority over God?s enemies. It is no wonder, then, that the Bible appropriately refers to Michael as "the archangel," the prefix "arch" meaning "chief," or "principal."The Controversy Over Michael?s IdentityChristendom?s religions, as well as Judaism and Islam, have conflicting ideas on the subject of angels. Some explanations are vague. For instance, The Anchor Bible Dictionary states: "There may be a single superior angel and/or a small group of archangels (usually four or seven)." According to The Imperial Bible-Dictionary, Michael is the "name of a superhuman being, in regard to whom there have in general been two rival opinions, either that he is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, or that he is one of the so-called seven archangels."
In Jewish tradition these seven archangels are Gabriel, Jeremiel, Michael, Raguel, Raphael, Sariel, and Uriel. On the other hand, Islam believes in four archangels, namely, Jibril, Mikal, Izrail, and Israfil. Catholicism also believes in four archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel. What does the Bible say? Are there several archangels?The Bible?s AnswerAside from Michael, no archangel is mentioned in the Bible, nor do the Scriptures use the term "archangel" in the plural. The Bible describes Michael as the archangel, implying that he alone bears that designation. Hence, it is reasonable to conclude that Jehovah God has delegated to one, and only one, of his heavenly creatures full authority over all other angels.
Aside from the Creator himself, only one faithful person is spoken of as having angels under subjection?namely, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 13:41; 16:27; 24:31) The apostle Paul made specific mention of "the Lord Jesus" and "his powerful angels." (2 Thessalonians 1:7) And Peter described the resurrected Jesus by saying: "He is at God?s right hand, for he went his way to heaven; and angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him."?1 Peter 3:22.
While there is no statement in the Bible that categorically identifies Michael the archangel as Jesus, there is one scripture that links Jesus with the office of archangel. In his letter to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul prophesied: "The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel?s voice and with God?s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first." (1 Thessalonians 4:16) In this scripture Jesus is described as having assumed his power as God?s Messianic King. Yet, he speaks with "an archangel?s voice." Note, too, that he has the power to raise the dead.
While on earth as a human, Jesus performed several resurrections. In doing so, he used his voice to utter commanding calls. For example, when resurrecting the dead son of a widow in the city of Nain, he said: "Young man, I say to you, Get up!" (Luke 7:14, 15) Later, just before resurrecting his friend Lazarus, Jesus "cried out with a loud voice: ?Lazarus, come on out!?" (John 11:43) But on these occasions, Jesus? voice was the voice of a perfect man.
After his own resurrection, Jesus was raised to a "superior position" in heaven as a spirit creature. (Philippians 2:9) No longer a human, he has the voice of an archangel. So when God?s trumpet sounded the call for "those who are dead in union with Christ" to be raised to heaven, Jesus issued "a commanding call," this time "with an archangel?s voice." It is reasonable to conclude that only an archangel would call "with an archangel?s voice."
Yes, there are other angelic creatures of high rank, such as seraphs and cherubs. (Genesis 3:24; Isaiah 6:2) Yet, the Scriptures point to the resurrected Jesus Christ as the chief of all angels?Michael the archangel.