Comments You Will Not Hear at the 6-5-05 WT Study (May 1, 2005 issue date)
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 blue THE RESURRECTION -A TEACHING THAT AFFECTS YOU "I have hope toward God . . . that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."-ACTS 24:15. and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.-ACTS 24:15 (NIV) www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bible Opening CommentsThe WTS never chooses a topic without a reason. When was the last time the resurrection was discussed? As an elementary teaching of Christ, JWs are supposed to know this well at the time of baptism. The last time this topic was considered in depth was in the July 15, 2000 WT. This is the first of 3 articles on the resurrection.
Why now? For years JWs were told that "millions now living will never die" that the great crowd could live right through the great tribulation never having to experience death. That is what my parents were told; that is what I was told. As you look around the congregation, you see these people in their 70s, 80’s, 90’s, get sicker, frailer and death is becoming a unexpected reality.
w90 5/1 p. 28 Exercise Faith for Everlasting Life ***
Those of the great crowd who survive this world’s end will not need a resurrection from the dead because they "will never die at all"! Are you taking steps to be one of this group? If so, what an amazing, unique privilege is open to you-that of surviving the end of Satan’s evil system and being ushered into a righteous new era that will bring you perfect health and everlasting life on a paradise earth! (Luke 23:43; Revelation 21:4, 5)As one older sister said recently, "I wasn’t supposed to die in this system."
To comfort these, the WTS has to once again stress the resurrection and remind the faithful that the Bible only promises this to the great crowd as a group and not to individuals. Neat way to cover all the bases.
w97 12/15 p. 17 Make Public Declaration for Salvation ***
During this "time of the end," he has gathered the last ones of the spiritual Israel of God and turned the attention of his earthly servants, from the 1930’s onward, to gathering "a great crowd, which no man [is] able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues." As a group, these "come out of the great tribulation" alive. (Revelation 7:9, 14)w90 9/15 p. 20 Bless Jehovah’s Holy Name! ***
As a group, Jehovah’s Witnesses will safely pass through "the great tribulation" brought upon the wicked. (Revelation 7:14)w86 10/1 p. 14 Comfort From the God of Peace ***
However, today "a great crowd" numbering into the millions has already been gathered before that throne. As a group, these will be saved alive through the impending "great tribulation." They are shepherded by the Lamb and guided to "fountains of waters of life," so that they will never need to die off the earth.w83 10/15 p. 31 Exodus-From Tyranny to Theocratic Order ***
Accordingly, his present-day witnesses can be confident that they, as a group, will survive the coming "great tribulation" under the almighty hand of this Grand Deliverer.-Matthew 24:20-22; Revelation 7:9, 14.w80 12/15 p. 29 Do You Remember? ***
The "great crowd" as a group survive the "great tribulation and the promise fulfilled toward them even now with regard to their spiritual relation with Jehovah is: "God will wipe out every tear from their eyes."-Rev. 7:9-17Over the years the WTS has pinpointed also who will not be resurrected. Next week and the one after I will provide the WTS reasoning on this. This includes;
Adam
Eve
Cain
All the men, women, and children not on the Ark during the Flood
People executed at Sodom and Gomorrah (actually they have been in and out of eternal destruction several times but since 1988 the WTS has consigned them to Gehenna)
People executed in Israel at 607 BCE
Those who sin against the holy spirit including;
Unrepentant religious leaders of Jesus time
Judas Iscariot
Ananias and Sapphira
People executed in Israel at 70 CE
Suicides (no but now a maybe)
Miscarried babies
People executed during the great tribulation/Armageddon (including children)/anyone not a dedicated baptized JW
START OF ARTICLE
AT THE end of his third missionary tour in 56 C.E., the apostle Paul was in Jerusalem. After being arrested by the Romans, he was permitted to appear before the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin. (Acts 22:29, 30) As Paul observed the members of that court, he noted that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees. These two groups differed in one outstanding way. The Sadducees denied the resurrection; the Pharisees accepted it. To show where he stood on that issue, Paul declared: "Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Over the hope of resurrection of the dead I am being judged." In so doing, he threw the assembly into confusion!-Acts 23:6-9.Did you know that the word, resurrection, does not appear in the OT? But the Pharisees may have felt the thought was expressed at Job 14:13, Daniel 12:13, and Hosea 13:14.
But ask yourself, if you had been raised a Catholic and were in a group of Catholics, would you identify yourself as a Catholic or a JW believing in the resurrection?
2 Years earlier, when he was on the road to Damascus, Paul saw a vision in which he heard Jesus' voice. Paul even asked Jesus: "What shall I do, Lord?" Jesus answered: "Rise, go your way into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything it is appointed for you to do." On arrival in Damascus, Paul was found by a helpful Christian disciple, Ananias, who explained: "The God of our forefathers has chosen you to come to know his will and to see the righteous One [the resurrected Jesus] and to hear the voice of his mouth." (Acts 22:6-16) Little wonder, then, that Paul was prepared to make a defense of his belief in the resurrection .-1 Peter 3:15.This seems to indicate that Paul was aware of Jesus before his death and was able to recognize him in his resurrected form. Paul had a strong basis for believing in the resurrection. How many today have the same basis?
Publicly Declaring the Resurrection Hope 3 Paul later appeared before Governor Felix. On that occasion, Tertullus, "a public speaker" who presented the Jews' case against Paul, accused him of being the leader of a sect and guilty of sedition. In answer Paul forthrightly declared: "I do admit this to you, that, according to the way that they call a 'sect,' in this manner I am rendering sacred service to the God of my forefathers." Then, coming to the main issue, he continued: "I have hope toward God, which hope these men themselves also entertain, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." -Acts 23:23, 24; 24:1-8,14,15.A resurrection of the unrighteous, then why not the people who died in the Flood, at Sodom and Gomorrah, at 607 BCE, 70 CE?
4 About two years later, Felix' successor, Porcius Festus, invited King Herod Agrippa to join him in examining the prisoner Paul. Festus explained that the accusers disputed Paul's assertion that "a certain Jesus who was dead . . . was alive." In his defense Paul asked: "Why is it judged unbelievable among you men that God raises up the dead?" Then he declared: "Because I have obtained the help that is from God I continue to this day bearing witness to both small and great, but saying nothing except things the Prophets as well as Moses stated were going to take place, that the Christ was to suffer and, as the first to be resurrected from the dead , he was going to publish light both to this people and to the nations." (Acts 24:27; 25:13-22; 26:8, 22, 23) What a staunch advocate of the resurrection Paul was! Like Paul, we too can proclaim with conviction that there will be a resurrection. But what reaction can we expect? Likely the same as Paul received.Staunch advocate of the resurrectionWe proclaim with conviction that there will be a resurrection
What reaction can we expect?
Likely, the same as Paul received
Judged unbelievable among men that God raises up the dead
Not a very flattering picture of the millions of Christians who aren’t JWs that believe in the resurrection.
5 Consider what occurred earlier during Paul's second missionary tour (about
49-52 C.E.) when he visited Athens. He reasoned with people who believed in
many deities, and he urged them to note God's purpose to judge the inhabited
earth in righteousness by a man whom He had appointed. This was none other
than Jesus. Paul explained that God had furnished a guarantee of this by
resurrecting Jesus. What was the reaction?
We read: "Well, when they heardof a resurrection of the dead, some began to mock, while others said: 'We
will hear you about this even another time
.' "-Acts 17:29-32.Some began to mock
Others said we will hear you about this even another time
Paul was not talking to Christians. But the WTS would have you apply this to the people in your neighborhood who do hope and trust in the resurrection.
6 That reaction mirrored what Peter and John had experienced shortly after Pentecost 33 C.E. Again the Sadducees figured prominently in the controversy. Acts 4:1-4 relates what happened: "Now while the two were speaking to the people, the chief priests and the captain of the temple andthe Sadducees came upon them, being annoyed because they were teaching the people and were plainly declaring the resurrection from the dead in the case of Jesus." Others, however, reacted favorably. "Many of those who had listened to the speech believed, and the number of the men became about five thousand." Evidently, we can expect varied reactions when we speak about the resurrection hope. In view of that, it is vital that we strengthen our faith in this teaching.Sadducees being annoyed
Evidently we can expect varied reactions when we speak about the resurrection hope
Would Christians be annoyed to have JWs speak about the resurrection?
What does annoy Christians is when JWs tell them who won’t be resurrected a duty given by God to Jesus, not to humans on earth.
Do JWs talk about the resurrection hope at the door; only if the homeowner mentions they have lost someone in death. Then they will whip out the brochure, When Someone You Love Dies, or the tract, Hope for the Dead. But not the Bible; after all the scriptures are already in the brochure or tract.In view of that (the varied reactions) it is vital that we strengthen our faith in this teaching
Yes, if JWs are losing their faith in the resurrection, it is the fault of the people they meet that have these varied reactions.
Faith and the Resurrection7 Not all who became Christians in the first century C.E. found it easy to accept the resurrection hope. Some who found it difficult were associated with the congregation in Corinth. To them Paul wrote: "I handed on to you, among the first things, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he has been raised up the third day according to the Scriptures." Paul then attested to this truth by stating that the resurrected Christ had "appeared to upward of five hundred brothers," most of whom, added Paul, were still alive. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) He further reasoned: "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? If, indeed, there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised up. But if Christ has not been raised up, our preaching is certainly in vain, and our faith is in vain." -1 Corinthians 15:12-14.Blurb on page 9: Paul, appearing before Governor Felix, proclaimed with conviction the resurrection hopeNot all who became Christians in the first century CE found it easy to accept the resurrection hopeHow did Paul convince them?Resurrected Christ had appeared to upward of five hundred brothers most of whom were still alive
Do you think they are still alive today, 2,000 years later? No eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection today.
Christianity was founded on the teaching that Christ was resurrected. Paul was right on that point, a person not believing in the resurrection could not be a follower of Christ. But were JWs encouraged above to look to the resurrection, but were they encouraged to believe they would never have to die.
8 Yes, so fundamental is the teaching of the resurrection that the Christian faith is in vain if the resurrection is not accepted as a reality. Indeed, the correct understanding of the resurrection sets true Christians apart from the false. (Genesis 3:4, Ezekiel 18:4) Thus, Paul includes the teaching of the resurrection in "the primary doctrine" of Christianity. May our determination be to "press on to maturity." "And this we will do," exhorts Paul, "if God indeed permits." -Hebrews 6:1-3.Correct understanding of the resurrection
Only as presented by the WTS the only true channel of Biblical wisdom
True Christians; only JWs
The Resurrection Hope9 To strengthen our faith in the resurrection further, let us review such questions as: What does the Bible mean when it refers to the resurrection? How does the teaching of the resurrection magnify Jehovah's love? Answers to these questions will draw us closer to God and at the same time help us to teach others-2 Timothy 2:2; James 4:8.Strengthen our faith in the resurrection further
Since Paul referred to 500 eyewitnesses that are not alive today, how could that strengthen the faith of people today?
What does the Bible mean; what does the WTS mean
Magnify Jehovah’s love; and what about Christ’s love and role in this?
Draw us closer to God; but not to Christ
Help us teach others
Teach them what; about the wonderful prospect of never having to die at all?
10 "Resurrection" is the translation of a Greek word that literally means "a standing up again." What does that expression involve? According to the Bible, the resurrection hope is the conviction that a dead person can live again. The Bible further shows that the person is restored in either a human or a spirit body, depending on whether he has an earthly or a heavenly hope. We marvel at Jehovah's love, wisdom, and power manifest in this wonderful resurrection prospect.Restored in either a human or a spirit body
Every time resurrection is discussed in the NT, it means only a spirit body. The early Christians had no such earthly hope. They all were going to die, be resurrected as spirits, and rule with Christ in heaven.
Marvel at Jehovah’s love, but not Christs
11 The resurrection of Jesus and his anointed brothers provides them with a spirit body fit for service in heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-53) Together they will serve as rulers of the Messianic Kingdom, which will bring Paradise conditions to the earth. Under Jesus as High Priest, the anointed constitute a royal priesthood. They will apply the benefits of Christ's ransom sacrifice to mankind in the new world of righteousness. (Hebrews 7:25, 26; 9:24; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 22:1, 2) In the meantime, those of the anointed still alive on earth desire to remain acceptable to God. At their death, they will receive their "award" through resurrection to immortal spirit life in heaven. (2 Corinthians 5:1-3, 6-8, 10; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; Revelation 14:13) "If we have become united with him in the likeness of his death," wrote Paul, "we shall certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection." (Romans 6:5) But what about those for whom the resurrection will mean life on earth again as humans? How can the resurrection hope draw them closer to God? We can learn much from the example of Abraham.Blurb on page 10: Why did Abraham have faith in the resurrection?New World; buzzword that has been new order, new earth; new system of things; new world society
Life on earth again as humans
Abraham
The WTS does not choose a Christian that will be resurrected to life on earth but an OT example, a non-Christian
The Resurrection and Friendship With Jehovah12 Abraham, who was described as "Jehovah's friend," was a man of outstanding faith. (James 2:23) Paul referred to Abraham's faith three times in his listing of faithful men and women recorded in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. (Hebrews 11:8, 9, 17) His third reference focuses on the faith Abraham displayed when he obediently prepared to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham was convinced that the promise of a seed through Isaac was guaranteed by Jehovah. Even if Isaac were to die as a sacrifice, Abraham "reckoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead."Faithful men AND women
Have you ever listened to some brothers from the platform and they will never say brothers AND sisters?
Reckoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead
Remember that the word resurrection does not occur in the OT and this is Paul 2,000 years later reckoning what Abraham was thinking.
13 As events turned out, when Jehovah saw the strength of Abraham's faith, he arranged for an animal to substitute as a sacrifice. Still, Isaac's experience served as an illustration of the resurrection, as Paul explained: "From there he [Abraham] did receive him [Isaac] also in an illustrative way." (Hebrews 11:19) More than that, Abraham already had a powerful basis for his belief in the resurrection. Had not Jehovah brought back to life Abraham's reproductive powers when he and his wife, Sarah, came together in their old age and produced their son, Isaac?-Genesis 18:10-14; 21:1-3; Romans 4:19-21.Jehovah brought back to life Abraham’s reproductive powers
Didn’t he have to bring back Sarah’s too? She was past menopause.
Did you know that after Sarah died, Abraham married again, Keturah, and had six sons, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah?
14 Paul described Abraham as an alien resident and a tent dweller who was "awaiting the city having real foundations, the builder and maker of which city is God." (Hebrews 11:9,10) This was not a literal city like Jerusalem, which was the location of God's temple. No, this was a symbolic city. It was God's heavenly Kingdom made up of Christ Jesus and his 144,000 corulers. The 144,000 in their heavenly glory are also spoken of as "the holy city, New Jerusalem," the "bride" of Christ. (Revelation 21:2) In 1914, Jehovah enthroned Jesus as Messianic King of the heavenly Kingdom and commanded him to rule in the midst of his enemies. (Psalm 110: 1, 2; Revelation 11:15) To receive the blessings of Kingdom rule, Abraham, "Jehovah's friend," will have to live again. Likewise, for us to receive Kingdom blessings, we must be alive in God's new world, either as members of the great crowd of Armageddon survivors or as those resurrected from the dead. (Revelation 7:9, 14) What, though, is the basis of the resurrection hope?Not a literal city; 144,000 and Jesus; where is the proof?
In 1914, Jehovah enthroned Jesus as Messianic King
Wasn’t Jesus already King in 33 CE?
Or was it 1878?
Proclaimers Book chap. 28 p. 632 Testing and Sifting From Within ***
Based on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus’ baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King.Studies in the Scriptures Vol.2, 1906 p.101
The Kingdom of God is already begun, which is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the "battle of the great day of God Almighty" which will end in 1914 with the complete overthrow of the earth's present rulership, is already commenced.New world-was once new order, new system of things, etc.
Armageddon survivors; only JWs
w89 9/1 p. 19 Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium ***
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil. (Revelation 7:9-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4) They will make up the "flesh" that Jesus Christ said would be saved through the worst tribulation of all human history.God's Love--The Basis of the Resurrection Hope15 Our close relationship with our loving heavenly Father, our strong faith like that of Abraham, and our obedience to God's commands allow us to be declared righteous and to be viewed by Jehovah as his friends. This brings us in line to benefit from Kingdom rule. Indeed, the very first prophecy recorded in God's Word, at Genesis 3:15, lays the basis for the resurrection hope and friendship with God. It foretells not only the crushing of Satan's head but also, by contrast, the bruising in the heel of the Seed of God's woman. Jesus' death on the stake was a figurative bruising in the heel. His resurrection on the third day healed that wound and paved the way for decisive action against "the one having the means to cause death, that is, the Devil."-Hebrews 2:14.Blurbs on page 12: Job drew comfort from the resurrection hope; Daniel will return in the resurrection of the righteous onesClose relationship with our loving heavenly Father; what happened to Jesus?
Obedience to God’s commands; as interpreted by the WTS
Viewed by Jehovah as his friends; aren’t we Jesus friends?
16 Paul reminds us that "God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Appreciation for this undeserved kindness truly brings us closer to Jesus and to our loving heavenly Father.-2 Corinthians 5:14, 15.Undeserved kindness; grace, for you non-JWs
Brings us closer to Jesus
Finally Jesus gets a mention; and he was the one who died for us
17 Job, a faithful man from pre-Christian times, also looked forward to a resurrection. He sufferered greatly at Satan's hands. Unlike his false companions, who never mentioned the resurrection, Job drew comfort from this hope and asked: "If an able-bodied man dies can he live again?" In answer Job himself declared: "All the days of my compulsory service I shall wait, until my relief comes." Addressing his God, Jehovah, he acknowledged: "You will call, and I myself shall answer you." Concerning the feelings of our loving Creator, Job noted: "For the work of your hands you will have a yearning." (Job 14:14, 15) Yes, Jehovah eagerly anticipates the time when faithful ones return to life in the resurrection. How this draws us closer to him as we meditate on the love and undeserved kindness that he shows us even though we are imperfect! -Romans 5:21; James 4:8.Job, a faithful man from pre-Christian times
Another OT example of how a Christian will be resurrected to life on earth
Undeserved kindness; grace
Even though we are imperfect
Is undeserved kindness to be shown to perfect people; who would that be?
18 The prophet Daniel, described by God's angel as a "very desirable man," lived a long life of faithful service. (Daniel 10:11, 19) His integrity to Jehovah remained intact from his exile in 617 B.C.E. until his death some time after he received a vision in 536 B.C.E., the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia. (Daniel 1:1; 10:1) Some time during that third year of Cyrus, Daniel received a vision of the march of world powers that culminates in the coming great tribulation. (Daniel 11:1-12:13) As he could not fully understand the vision, Daniel asked the angelic messenger who delivered it: "O my lord, what will be the final part of these things?" In answer the angel called attention to "the time of the end," during which "the ones having insight will understand." As for Daniel himself, what were his prospects? The angel acknowledged: "You will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days." (Daniel 12:8-10, 13) Daniel will return "in the resurrection of the righteous ones," during Christ's Millennial Reign.-Luke 14:14.Prophet Daniel
Another OT example to explain how a Christian will be resurrected to life on earth.
Vision of the march of world powers that culminates in the coming great tribulation
See Keep on the Watch brochure, no accident these occur around the same timeAs he could not fully understand the vision
w99 1/1 p. 17 "Make Your Hearts Firm" ***
Further, in these last days, "the faithful and discreet slave" is providing spiritual "food at the proper time," guidance in applying Bible principles and understanding Bible prophecy. (Matthew 24:45-47w97 8/15 p. 16 Living for Today or for an Eternal Future? ***
As events develop, though, our understanding of prophecy has become clearer. History shows that rarely, if ever, are divine prophecies fully understood before their fulfillment.19 We live deep in the time of the end and nearer the start of Christ's Millennial Rule than when we first became believers. Therefore, we must ask ourselves, 'Will I be there in the new world to associate with Abraham, Job, Daniel, and other faithful men and women?' We shall be, provided we stay close to Jehovah and obey his commands. In our next article, we will review the resurrection hope in further detail so as to identify who will be resurrected.We live deep in the time of the end
1914, 1925, 1940’s, 1975, 1984, 1994?
http://quotes.watchtower.ca/index.htmWill I be there in the new world to associate with Abraham, Job, Daniel and other faithful men and women?
Provided we stay close to Jehovah the WTS organization and obey his commands as interpreted by the WTS.
Will I be in the new world? Or is the question of most JWs be, will I live through the great tribulation and not have to die and be resurrected?
Have you ever wondered why Jezebel will be resurrected but not the women who died at Sodom and Gomorrah? Have you ever wondered why Hitler will be resurrected but not the baby who dies with his parents at Armageddon?
Next weeks article is "Who Will Be Resurrected?" What have you been told down through the years by the WTS and its representatives.
Have a good weekend; try and get out weather permitting.Love, Blondie
Questions1. How did the resurrection become an issue before the Sanhedrin?2. Why was Paul prepared to make a defense of his belief in the resurrection?3, 4. How did Paul prove to be a staunch advocate of the resurrection, and what can we learn from his example?5, 6. (a) The apostles' advocating the resurrection prompted what reaction? (b) As we express our hope in the resurrection, what is vital?7, 8. (a) As shown in a letter to the first-century Corinthian congregation, how can faith be in vain? (b) How does a correct understanding of the resurrection hope set true Christians apart?9, 10. What does the Bible mean when it refers to the resurrection?11. What resurrection prospects are offered to God's anointed servants?12, 13. What powerful basis for faith in the resurrection did Abraham have?14. (a) According to Hebrews 11:9, 10, what did Abraham await? (b) To receive Kingdom blessings in the new world, what must yet happen to Abraham? (c) How can we receive Kingdom blessings?15, 16. (a) How does the first prophecy in the Bible lay the basis for our resurrection hope? (b) How can belief in the resurrection draw us closer to Jehovah?17. (a) What hope did Job express? (b) What does Job 14:15 reveal about Jehovah, and how does this make you feel?18. 19. (a) What prospect does Daniel have for living again? (b) What will we review in the next article?Do You Recall?What reaction did Paul encounter when he declared his hope in the resurrection?Why does the resurrection hope set true Christians apart from the false?How do we know that Abraham, Job, and Daniel had faith in the resurrection?