Hello all, and thanks in advance for helping me.
Little history. We moved away from our family, and "drifted" away from the meetings. Meanwhile, I have read coc, and a few other "apostate" books. The most recent book I read is "Captives of a Concept". If you have not read this one, you might want to take a look at it. It is very interesting, its main point is that J.C. would not have chosen the Watchtower organization in 1919, due to the fact that they were teaching the wrong the thing.
Anyway, my brother in law had been emailing me encourgaing us to pick up the "truth" again. My problem is that there is that little part of me that says maybe this is the truth...maybe these apostates are working for Satan.....so...I need some comfort....if you have time..read through my emails with my brother in law.
I had emailed him about a subject at work, and welcomed him back from his "spriitual buffet". (He had just returned from the D.C.) his reply:
YES. SPEAKING OF SPIRITUAL BUFFET.... HAVE YOU FOUND THE TRUTH YET?
PLEASE, THINK ABOUT IT SERIOUSLY. WE LOVE YOU. :) HAVE A NICE DAY.
My reply:
Thank you.
And yes...I have found the truth!!! Seriously.
We love you too.
His reply:
AND THE TRUTH IS?My reply:
"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8: 32His reply:
What happens to us when we die? Is this life all there is? Will we ever see our dead loved ones again? What is the purpose of life? Is there a God who cares? If so why has he permitted wickedness and suffering? When will it end? What hope do humans have? Is Jesus real? Is there a trinity? What's God's name? What is Sheol & Hades? Should we celebrate Holidays? Was Jesus born in December? What is God's Kingdom? What is God's purpose for the Earth? What was the purpose of the Ransom? Are we living in the last Day's? Is the Bible a Book from God? Where can I find help to cope with my problems? Can we be sure that God will fulfill his promises for the future? Does your Relegion matter? Is there more than ONE TRUTH? Please respond ASAP!My reply:
hahhahaahehehehahhaha....LOL.. ..His reply:
Sounds like you have all the questions!!!
Answer this one!
Do you believe that the faithful and discreet slave mentioned in
Matthew 24: 45-47 is the organization (more specifically, the
governing body) of Jehovah's witnesses?
And, if you believe that, you must also believe that Jesus appointed
the Watchtower society to be God's chosen organization in the spring
of 1919?
This is very important.
What happens to us when we die? Nothing, just like the animals.
Is this life all there is? Yes.
Will we ever see our dead loved ones again? No. Not unless we dig them up.
What is the purpose of life? Enjoyment.
Is there a God who cares? No.
If so why has he permitted wickedness and suffering? N/A
When will it end?
The day you die.
What hope do humans have? None.
Is Jesus real?
Possibly. History backs a great influential man that lived two
thousand years ago.
Is there a trinity?
No.
What's God's name? Who's God? Which one?
What is Sheol & Hades?
A scary story told to help people do the right thing. Or, a hole in
the ground, and a place to burn trash.
Should we celebrate Holidays?
If you'd like to.
Was Jesus born in December? Whats the difference?
What is God's Kingdom? Different things to different people. Some believe that it exists in
heaven, others in your heart. Some would say its a fabricated
storybook fairytale.
What is God's purpose for the Earth? The god of the Bible's purpose was always to fill it up and let it run smoothly.
What was the purpose of the Ransom? According to most, to redeem mankind from sin.
Are we living in the last Day's? No.
Is the Bible a Book from God? No. It is a great story passed down from many generations.
Where can I find help to cope with my problems? Within yourself, family and Friends.
Can we be sure that God will fulfill his promises for the future? No.
Does your Religion matter?
Only to you.
Is there more than ONE TRUTH? Yes. Even a lie is the truth if believed by the believer.
In answer to your question.... If you Do not Believe 2Tim. 3:16 it does not matter. However notice a few verses down @ 2Tim. 4: 3 & 4 Does this sound familiar? How about Hebrews 3: 7-15 If you are saying this life is all there is I am with Peter @ John 6:66-68. Also, notice the sentiments of the Apostle Paul speaking to the Corinthians @ 1Corinthians 15: 29-34 Also, think about this... Even an athieist can see the conditions of this world and see things are continuing to get worse... what hope do we have. Are you willing to tell your children we have no hope? What is your answer for mankinds problems? EAT DRINK BE MARRY FOR TOMORROW WE SHALL DIE? As for me and my household we shall serve Jehovah! I hope you are sharing this with my sister? I hope you would allow her to serve Jehovah even though you will not? How does she respond?My reply:
Are you really going to ignore the question I asked? Really?? YourHis reply:
entire faith bases itself upon the truth of Matt. 24: 45-47.
Again, Do you believe that the faithful and discreet slave mentioned in
Matthew 24: 45-47 is the organization (more specifically, the
governing body) of Jehovah's witnesses?
And, if you believe that, you must also believe that Jesus appointed
the Watchtower society to be God's chosen organization in the spring
of 1919?
Why is this question so important?? It is simple and powerful.
Since Jesus examined all the worlds religions in 1919, and chose the
Jehovah's Witnesses, they must have been providing the proper food at
the proper time, right? If not, then Jesus would not have selected
them to be his "Faithful and discreet slave", right?
What teachings would Jesus have found the Watchtower society teaching
back in pre-1919 times? A MUCH DIFFERENT MESSAGE THAN WHAT IS TAUGHT
TODAY!! In fact, if witnesses believed exactly as back then, they
would surely be disfellowshipped today for non compliance.
If your still with me, I want you to look in your "Proclaimers" book.
This is amazing. Here is a list of things taught then, when Jesus was
examining them and choosing them to be the "faithful and discreet
slave".
1. The second coming of Christ. They thought it began in 1874.
Page 133 (Proclaimers) "Charles Taze Russel that Christ's invisible
presence had begun in 1874. Footnote " a clearer understanding of
Biblical chronology was published in 1943" Too late!!! Wrong teaching
when Jesus "selected" the faithful and discreet slave!
2. Faithful and discreet slave. They thought that Russel was the
"Faithful and discreet slave" and therefore that the society was not
that slave.
Page 142-143. That means that from 1897 down till 1919 they was
teaching false ideas! Would Jesus select this group?
3. The thousand year reign of J.C. They thought that it had begun in
1873. Check out the 1916 edition of "The time is at hand"...the
forward says "The bible chronology herein presented shows that the six
great thousand-year days, beginning with Adam are ended, and that the
great seventh day, the thousand years of Christ's reign, began in
1873. More incorrect teachings that Jesus would have found in 1919.
Again, would Jesus select this group?
4. Millions now living will never die! This teaching was used
because Rutherford began teaching that Jesus was going to begin his
1000 year reign in 1925. He also taught that in 1925, Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob and the prophets of old would be resurrected. Of course, that
never happened, but that was what was being taught when Jesus selected
the witnesses as "the faithful and discreet slave".
5. I could literally go on with about 50 of these. The point is
simple. Examine what was being taught during the time of 1919...when
Jesus chose the "faithful and discreet slave", and see for yourself.
One way the society combats this is by 1) Never saying that any of the
previous beliefs were "False". They always sugar coat it, saying they
were "over zealous", or "past truths" 2) They cover themselves by
stating that Proverbs 4: 18...saying that the light got brighter.
This is a cover up. The light did not get brighter, it was turned on
all of a sudden. They went from teaching one way to teaching another
(and sometimes back again). Whatever they are currently teaching, is
on, and what they "find" to be false, they turn "off". Would Jesus
choose his "faithful and discreet slave" on the basis that they would
be able to change their teachings in the future? I don't think
so...that .would not be food at the PROPER TIME. A wrong teaching is
a wrong teaching, and a right teaching is right. There is no in
between or dimmer switch.
Take the time in your personal study to look into what is being
presented here.
Look at it this way too...The God of this Universe, Almighty in Power,
Lord and Master of all, All knowing, Eternal, God of Gods, has picked
the Jehovah's Witnesses, out of ALL people, and out of ALL religions,
Worldwide, to represent him and his wishes, even though, the Jehovah's
witnesses have been WRONG in the past, NOW, right now, if any person
on this earth, ANY person on this earth, does not pay attention to the
Jehovah's Witnesses, he or she will be destroyed at Armageddon? Is
that how you see it? Really?"
This is a story I read, and agreed with, do you?
"A man moved West to find peace and quiet. He moved to a new place
out west, and built a home. People began to follow him, and soon
there was a number of homes being constructed in his area. Roads
began to develop to handle all the traffic Soon, the townspeople came
together and formed a committee. The man whom first moved out there
brought up an idea to the committee, he said 'We should have an
ambulance service, so that if there happens to be a car accident, we
can provide help to the victims.' The committee denied any need of
such a thing. So it was dismissed, no ambulance service. Later that
week, the man whose idea it was to have the ambulance service
witnessed an automobile smash into an older lady crossing the street.
She laid there bleeding out on the icy cold road. The man did nothing
but watch. Later, the townspeople and committee asked of him, ' why
dint you do ANYTHING to help her? You could have tried something?'
He simply said, 'I was simply proving my point!' And so it is with
God today, proving his point with our lives"
So basically, when you say god is permitting wickedness to prove Satan
a liar...this story comes to mind... I WILL NOT SERVE A GOD WILLING TO
LET ME SUFFER TO PROVE HIS POINT. That is selfish, and I will have
nothing to do with it.
BTW, ******* is very much involved with our conversations. There are no
secrets here. She has sat here beside me, helping me, the entire time
I was writing this. She responds in kind.
This is not an attack. I was only responding to your questions. I
only hope that you can see that we are the same people you know and
love.
So let me ask you what Organization Today is God's chosen Organization? Oh yes you no longer believe in God. Right? So it does not matter right? Yes, it is True there were many misunderstandings in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Does this mean that God is not using this Organization to accomplish his will? Many Bible writers used by God had made mistakes and openly admit them Jehovah still used them. What hope do hold out for mankind? What way of life are you leading that will result in true happiness? Your story about the man... well he does not have the power to resurrect people from the dead! JEHOVAH does! Do I really believe that Jehovah's Witness' are the only true religion? YES! HAVE YOU FOUND THE TRUTH? Once again no matter how YOU define truth there is only ONE! Satan told Eve 'You positively will not die'. He LIED. You have been convinced of a lie as well. Your Attitude.... "I WILL NOT SERVE A GOD THAT WILL LET ME SUFFER TO PROVE HIS POINT." Sounds Like A SPOILED BRAT....Do you care about your children? Do they ever have to suffer the consequences of their actions? What has happened to you that you have become bitter toward my God the only True God Jehovah? Have you become APOSTATE? AS for me and my household we shall serve Jehovah! BYE BYESo this last email was my last contact. THEN...A brother stopped by from the kindom hall, and I presented him with the same line of reasoning that the watchtower could not have been chosen by J.C., because they were teaching many "false teachings". He acknowledged that the society had been wrong...like the cross and christmas..he said...but since they were the only ones using "Jehovahs" name...that is why they were chosen, and he continues to use the org. because they are the only ones who use Jah's name. So, I guess, right now, I need help with "combating" the fact that they are true because they use the name Jehovah, and how important that is? Thank you!