We got new light and didn't even notice it

by observador 12 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  observador

  Is it not shocking to identify the ruling political powers with a wild beast? ...

  Moreover, why should anyone object to the Bible’s saying that it is Satan who gives the wild beast its great authority? God is the Source of that statement, and before him ‘the nations are as a drop from a bucket and as a film of dust.’ Those nations would do better to court God’s favor than to take offense at the way his prophetic Word describes them. (Isaiah 40:15, 17; Psalm 2:10-12) ...

  On the beast that John saw, however, the numbering of the ten horns appears to be symbolic. (Compare Daniel 7:24; Revelation 17:12.) They represent the completeness of sovereign states making up the entire political organization of Satan. All these horns are violent and aggressive, but as indicated by the seven heads, headship resides in only one world power at a time. Similarly, the ten diadems indicate that all sovereign states would exercise ruling power simultaneously with the dominant state, or world power, of that time.

  Revelation Climax, chapter 28, pp.188 (1988)

  16 years later...

  Accordingly, human rulership is a product of the Devil, thus reflecting his beastly, dragonlike disposition.—John 8:44; Ephesians 6:12.
  This does not mean, however, that every human ruler is a direct tool of Satan. Indeed, in one sense, human governments serve as “God’s minister,” giving structure to human society, without which chaos would rule.

  Watchtower April 1, 2004, p.5

  It hurts; it sucks; it is depressing; but we were once part of an amazing organization; a chameleon-like organization, that is; capable of introducing changes to its doctrines to adapt to the environment. One day human governments are by Satan; in another, they're by God.

  Isn't it so refreshing, brothers and sisters, that we got new light and didn't even notice it?

  Observador.
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  mad max

  that is the problem with the brothers and sisters, they DONT CARE, new light old light they just go with the flow, as long as they dont have to think for themselves.

  Beware if you do.

  Beware that if you do look back and discover that this light that was getting brighter and brighter was DIM in the first place.

  Beware you ask questions Why? etc next min. you an apostate and DFed.
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  observador

  bttt
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  crazyblondeb

  Is that sorta like a "blue light special"-- that always means SHOPPING!!??
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  BrendaCloutier

  Watchtower April 1, 2004, p.5

  Note the date. April fools joke perhaps?

  It could also be a UN - NGO leftover.
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  greendawn

  The idea that human political rulers are no where near totally evil has always been obvious enough, politics is a neutral thing like so many other it depends what you make of it.Some politicians are honest some are corrupt. Governments provide constitutions that guarantee human rights, police forces for law and order, and so much else. Israel's kings and judges were politicians.
  
  Why did it take so long for them to realise this? It didn't, they always knew it but "the new light had to come at its due time" which means at the time that suits them. The same as happened with so many other issues. Are they trying now to diminish the JWs sense of isolation from the world?
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  observador

  Brenda,
  this is no joke. You can verify it if you still have access to the magazines.
  
  It's been some time that I want to post this, 'cause I don't think this has been discussed in the board.
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  Gopher

  The April 2004 article reflects the way the Society has always explained their viewpoint, which they try to phrase in broad terms so that they can teach opposite things at the same time. It's the same old light with a twist.
  

  Whenever they use terms like "accordingly" or "however", you can be sure what is said next is likely crap meant to confuse the reader.

  The WT Society views governments as EVIL institutions influenced by "Satan" and "the demons" . However, as a disclaimer , they write that individual political leaders may be viewed as ... (notice the wording) "not direct tools of Satan". The Watch Tower Society has been helped by some of them, so they cannot say that every person in government is corrupt and Satanic.

  In the end, they really send their readers in circles and say little or nothing useful.
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  greendawn

  They better be grateful because the democratic constitutions in many countries gave them a lot of freedom so that they wouldn't have to go through more Nazi style experiences but instead live peacefully.
  
  Funny how they play this down with their members before whom they demonise all state political authorities. Yet they did them a lot of good.
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  observador

  The April 2004 article reflects the way the Society has always explained their viewpoint

  I partially agree with your post, Gopher.

  The Society is now in fact trying to soft their position on this, but I have never seen language like that of the April 1st WT. And I also agree that they're doing that exactly to be able to play on both sides.

  Not only the language in that mag is soft, but also the UN is not even mentioned in the entire 2 articles. Now when have you seen a major WT article talking about the "beast" and not mentioning the UN with all the accompanying hate talk?

  Observador.