Comments You Will Not Hear at the 8-7-05 WT Study (July 1, 2005 issue)
Review comments in the body of the article will be in red and parentheses ()WT material in the body of the article from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotation boxes
www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
"BRINGING GOOD NEWS OF SOMETHING BETTER"
"How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one...bringing good news
of something better." -ISAIAH 52:7.
www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
Opening Comments
Deceptively the WTS starts out this WT article in 1996 as if there is an increase in bad news because the media does not report the good news.
w96 4/15 p. 3 Increasing Incidence of Bad News
HAVE you ever noticed that headlines proclaiming bad news awaken more reader interest than those conveying good news? Whether it is a newspaper headline of a natural disaster or some scintillating gossip splashed on the front cover of a glossy magazine, it seems that bad news sells better than good news.
Today there is no shortage of bad news. But one sometimes wonders whether bad news is what reporters and journalists are trained to look for and ferret out-to the exclusion of any good news.
But once the WTS has reeled in the non-JW reader, then they switch to this
w96 4/15 p. 6 Good News Ahead!/Why the Escalation of Bad News?
There is, however, a reason why bad news has escalated in this 20th century. This reason is spelled out clearly in the Bible, which foretold that mankind in the 20th century would enter a unique period of time known as "the last days" or "the time of the end." (2 Timothy 3:1; Daniel 12:4) Bible prophecy and Biblical chronology identify this "end period," which began in 1914. For detailed Scriptural proof of this, please see chapter 11 of the book Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
Remember to watch for
WTS buzzwords
http://jehovah.to/glos/=A.html
http://www.jwfiles.com/jw-words.htm
Where is Jesus?
Quotes from non-WTS material without attributions
Snippets of scriptures clouding the context of the scripture
OT examples and illustrations
START OF ARTICLE
TODAY people the world over feel that they are drowning in bad news. They
turn on the radio and hear frightening reports about deadly diseases
stalking the earth. They watch the news on television and see haunting
images of starving children crying for help. They pick up a newspaper and
read about bomb blasts that rip through buildings, killing scores of
innocent people.
Drowning in bad news
Is that true or is it that the media cannot sell with good news?
Deadly diseases stalking the earth
Can you find a secular quote that shows how things have changed for the better since the late 1800's to now?
2 Yes, dreadful things are happening every day. The scene of this world is
definitely changing-for the worse. (1 Corinthians 7: 31) A newsmagazine in
Western Europe noted that at times it seems as though the entire world were
"about to go up in flames." No wonder that a growing number of people are
distressed! One person who was quoted in a survey about television news in
the United States no doubt echoed the feelings of millions when he said:
`After I watch the news, I'm thoroughly depressed. It's all bad news. It's
overwhelming.'
Dreadful things are happening every day--Good things are happening every day.
The scene of this world--almost a snippet
For the worse
Two quotes without attributions that I could not find on Google--can you?
1) A newsmagazine in Western Europe noted that at times it seems as though the entire world were
"about to go up in flames." No wonder that a growing number of people are
distressed!
2) One person who was quoted in a survey about television news in
the United States no doubt echoed the feelings of millions when he said:
`After I watch the news, I'm thoroughly depressed. It's all bad news. It's
overwhelming.'
Crank up the thought that there is only bad news because it is the 'time of the end.'
News That Everyone Needs to Hear
3 In such a gloomy world, can better news be found? Indeed it can! It is
comforting to know that the Bible proclaims good news. It is the news that
sickness, hunger, crime, war, and all sorts of oppression will be brought to
an end by God's Kingdom. (Psalm 46:9; 72:12) Is that not news that everyone
needs to hear? Jehovah's Witnesses certainly think so. Therefore, they are
known everywhere for their ongoing effort to share the good news of God's
Kingdom with people of all nations.-Matthew 24:14.
In such a gloomy world, can better news be found?
Is this the good news JWs tell people?
w99 12/1 p. 18 Be Happy Readers of the Book of Revelation
The message is clear: If we want to survive Armageddon, we must remain spiritually alert and keep the symbolic garments that identify us as faithful Witnesses of Jehovah God.
Brought to an end by God's Kingdom--where's Jesus?
Known everywhere for their ongoing effort to share the good news of God's Kingdom--if we took a survey of the people in your neighborhood and asked them what they remember about what JWs said when they came to the door, how many would say "the good news of God's Kingdom"?
4 What, though, can we do in order to continue to have a satisfying and
meaningful share in the preaching of this good news -even in less responsive
territories? (Luke 8:15) A brief review of three important aspects of our
preaching work will no doubt help. We can examine (1) our motives, or why we
preach; (2) our message, or what we preach; and (3) our methods, or how we
preach. By keeping our motives pure, our message clear, and our methods
effective, we will give to a wide range of people the opportunity to hear
the best of good news-the good news of God's Kingdom.* (* This article will
consider the first two aspects. The second article will consider the third.)
Satisfying and meaningful share in the preaching
This indicates that many JWs are not finding the preaching work "satisfying" or "meaningful." Probably because they are not "effective" in finding people home since they go when people are not at home. How many pioneers go out weekday mornings and afternoons a time at which you will only find sick, older people home? How many JWs go out evenings even if 'arrangements' have been made at the congregation level? Will a JW go out on Saturday or Sunday evening? Do you; did you?
Our motives--as interpreted by the elders and the rest of the congregration.
Our message--hidden message, if you don't become a JW, you and your family will all die soon, forever.
Our methods--sales tactics that Jesus never used.
Effective--there is that word again from last week.
Why We Share in Preaching the Good News
5 Let us consider the first aspect-our motives. Why do we preach the good
news? For the same reason Jesus did. He said: "I love the Father." (John
14:31; Psalm 40:8) Above all, we are motivated by our love for God. (Matthew
22:37, 38) The Bible makes a connection between love for God and the
ministry, for it states: "This is what the love of God means, that we
observe his commandments." (1 John 5:3; John 14:21) Do God's commandments
include the one to `go and make disciples'? (Matthew 28:19) Yes. True, those
words were spoken by Jesus, but ultimately they originated with Jehovah. How
so? Jesus explained: "I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the
Father taught me I speak these things." (John 8:28; Matthew 17:5) Hence, by
observing the command to preach, we show Jehovah that we love him.
Motivated by our love for God--where is Jesus? The promise of everlasting life in a paradise earth is the main reason JWs preach--The Carrot.
1994 Yearbook p. 255 "Come, You People, and See the Activities of God"
Use your energy to bring glory to God. Orient your life around the preaching and disciple-making activity, which will result in everlasting life for you and for those who listen to you.
True, those words were spoken by Jesus, but ultimately they originated with Jehovah--where's Jesus?
We show Jehovah that we love him--where's Jesus?
6 In addition, love for Jehovah motivates us to preach because we want to
counteract the lies that Satan is promoting against him. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Satan has brought into question the righteousness of God's rule. (Genesis
3:1-5) As Jehovah's Witnesses, we yearn to share in exposing Satan's
slanders and in sanctifying God's name before mankind. (Isaiah 43:10-12)
Moreover, we share in the ministry because we have come to know Jehovah's
qualities and ways. We feel close to him and feel a strong desire to tell
others about our God. In fact, Jehovah's goodness and his righteous ways
bring us such joy that we cannot stop talking about him. (Psalm 145:7-12) We
feel impelled to tell forth his praise and speak about his "excellencies" to
those who will listen.-1 Peter 2:9; Isaiah 43:21.
Counteract the lies that Satan is promoting against him--exposing Satan's slanders
Lies per WTS
1) That the WTS taught that Jesus' presence began in 1874 and taught that officially until 1943.
2) That Jesus began ruling in 1878
3) That the deceased anointed were resurrected in 1881
4) That the anointed in general ceased to be called in 1881
5) That Armageddon would start in 1914
6) That the end would start in 1925
7) That the 'ancient worthies' would be resurrected in 1925 as perfect men to rule over the earth from earthly Jerusalem
8) That 1975 would appropriately be the time for the 1,000 year reign to start
9) That the generation alive in 1914 that saw the beginning of the fulfillment of Matthew 24 would see the end of wickedness
10) That secular governments (1879-1929), Jehovah/Jesus (1929-1962), secular governments (1962--) are the superior authorities
11) Add your own
We feel close to him--where's Jesus
We cannot stop talking about him--where's Jesus
7 There is another important reason for continuing to share in the ministry:
We sincerely want to bring relief to individuals who are overwhelmed by the
relentless onslaught of bad news and to those who suffer for one reason or
another. In this, we strive to imitate Jesus. Look, for example, at what is
described in Mark chapter 6.
Relentless onslaught of bad news--harping on that point again; think of all the people who are buying out time to help others, donate money.
Imitate Jesus--finally they found Jesus.
8 The apostles return from a preaching campaign and relate to Jesus all that
they have done and taught. Jesus notices that the apostles are tired, and he
tells them to come with him to "rest up a bit." So they get into a boat and
travel to a quiet place. People follow them, running along the shoreline,
and soon catch up with them. What does Jesus do? "He saw a great crowd," the
record says, "but he was moved with pity for them, because they were as
sheep without a shepherd. And he started to teach them many things." (Mark
6:31-34) Pity moves Jesus to continue sharing the good news in spite of his
tiredness. Clearly, Jesus' heart goes out to these people. He feels
compassion for them.
Relate to Jesus all that they have done and taught--according to the WTS this is an example of turning in a time slip.
w98 3/15 p. 21 Living Up to Christian Dedication in Freedom
Is it not true, however, that individual Witnesses are expected to report their preaching activity? Yes, but the purpose of this is clearly explained in a Witness handbook, which says: "Early followers of Jesus Christ took interest in reports of progress in the preaching work. (Mark 6:30) As the work prospered, statistical reports were compiled along with accounts of outstanding experiences of those having a share in preaching the good news. . . . (Acts 2:5-11, 41, 47; 6:7; 1:15; 4:4) . . . How encouraging it was for those faithful Christian workers to hear reports of what was being accomplished! . . . In like manner, Jehovah's modern-day organization endeavors to keep precise records of the work being done in fulfillment of Matthew 24:14."
Moved with pity--pity moves Jesus to continue sharing the good news in spite of his tiredness--he feels compassion
Moral of the story--being tired and sick is no excuse for not going out in the door to door
9 What do we learn from this account? As Christians, we feel an obligation
to preach the good news and to make disciples. We recognize our
responsibility to declare the good news, since it is God's will that "all
sorts of men should be saved." (1 Timothy 2:4) However, we perform our
ministry not only out of a sense of duty but also out of compassion. If we
feel deeply for people as Jesus did, our heart will move us to do all we can
to continue sharing the good news with them. (Matthew 22:39) Having such
fine motives for engaging in the ministry will move us to preach the good
news without letup.
Obligation to preach
Responsibility to declare
Sense of duty
Compassion
Feel deeply for people as Jesus did--Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son?
Do all we can
Without letup
All sorts of men should be saved--only JWs
Our Message-The Good News of God's Kingdom
10 What of the second aspect of our ministry-our message? What do we preach?
The prophet Isaiah gave this beautiful description of the message we
publish: "How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing
good news, the one publishing peace, the one bringing good news of something
better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: `Your God has
become king! "'-Isaiah 52:7.
What do we preach?
What did you preach; if still in the organization, listen carefully to what the JWs that go with you to the door, what do they talk about; how many times do they mention "Jehovah," "Jesus," or "kingdom"; how often do they mention the bad things going on in the world--bad news?
Your God has become king (OT)--where is Jesus?
11 The key expression in that scripture, "your God has become king," reminds
us of the message that we must proclaim, namely, the good news of God's
Kingdom. (Mark 13: 10) Note, too, that this verse reveals the positive tenor
of our message. Isaiah uses such terms as "salvation," "good news," "peace,"
and "something better." Centuries after Isaiah, in the first century C.E.,
Jesus Christ fulfilled this prophecy in an outstanding way by setting a
zealous example in publishing news of something better-the coming Kingdom of
God. (Luke 4:43) In modern times, especially since 1919, Jehovah's Witnesses
have followed Jesus' example by zealously proclaiming the good news of God's
established Kingdom and the blessings it will bring.
Blurb on page 18: The Kingdom message gives strength to the brokenhearted
Positive tenor of our message--yes, that 6 billion plus people (all the non-JWs) are soon to die and the 6 million JWs are praying that it comes very soon now.
God's kingdom--other interchangeable terms but at a ratio of 20 to 1--Where's Jesus?; Messianic kingdom, 1879 WT "Herald of Christ's Kingdom," 2005 WT "Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom," Jesus' Kingdom, Jesus Christ's Kingdom, Messiah's kingdom
From Christ's Kingdom to Jehovah's Kingdom
Proclaimers Book (1993) p. 724 Publishing The Watchtower
When first produced, in July 1879, it was called Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. This magazine, which was a champion of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, was published to serve spiritual food to the household of faith. On January 1, 1909, the title was changed to The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, in order to focus attention more clearly on the objective of the magazine. As of January 1, 1939, putting increased emphasis on the fact that Christ was already ruling from heaven as King, the title was altered to read The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Kingdom. Then on March 1, 1939, by changing the title to The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom, attention was directed more prominently to Jehovah as the Universal Sovereign, the one who gave ruling authority to his Son.
God's Kingdom Has Approached (1973)(ka) chap. 11 pp. 209-210 "Here Is the Bridegroom!"
The insertion of 100 years into Bible chronology during the period of the Judges is thus seen not to rest upon Scriptural grounds. The insertion should therefore be dropped and the Bible should be accepted just as it reads concerning its chronology. Unavoidably, then, this would affect the date for the parousia of the Bridegroom Jesus Christ to begin. With the Watch Tower magazine's issue of January 1, 1939, the title was changed to The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Kingdom, and with the issue of March 1, 1939, to The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom. This did not mean that the publishers of the magazine no longer believed in the presence or parousia of Christ as being then in progress. It meant, rather, that more importance was given to the Kingdom, to the kingdom of Jehovah God by Jesus Christ, for it is Jehovah's kingdom by Christ that will vindicate Jehovah's universal sovereignty.
In the year 1943 the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society published the book "The Truth Shall Make You Free." In its chapter 11, entitled "The Count of Time," it did away with the insertion of 100 years into the period of the Judges and went according to the oldest and most authentic reading of Acts 13:20, and accepted the spelled-out numbers of the Hebrew Scriptures. This moved forward the end of six thousand years of man's existence into the decade of the 1970's. Naturally this did away with the year 1874 C.E. as the date of return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the beginning of his invisible presence or parousia. The millennium that was to be marked by the detaining of Satan the Devil enchained in the abyss and by the reign of the 144,000 joint heirs with Christ in heavenly glory was therefore yet in the future. What, then, about the parousia (presence) of Christ? Page 324 of the above book positively says: "The King's presence or parousia began in 1914." Also, in the Watchtower issue of July 15, 1949 (page 215, paragraph 22), the statement is made: " . . . Messiah, the Son of man, came into Kingdom power A.D. 1914 and . . . this constitutes his second coming and the beginning of his second parousía or presence."
http://www.angelfire.com/ms/seanie/jw/cross1915.JPG
http://www.challengemin.org/graphics/Watchtower.jpg
Jesus--sets a zealous example in publishing news
Especially since 1919, Jehovah's Witnesses have followed Jesus' example--what were they doing from 1879 to 1919? That's right the WTS was tainted with pagan teachings before then, except they kept celebrating birthdays (1926), holidays (1926), and using the cross (1936).
Proclaimers Book (1993) chap. 14 p. 200 "They Are No Part of the World"
Practices That Have Been Abandoned
This Christmas celebration at Brooklyn Bethel in 1926 was their last. The Bible Students gradually came to appreciate that neither the origin of this holiday nor the practices associated with it honored God
In their "Daily Manna" book, Bible Students kept a list of birthdays. But after they quit celebrating Christmas and when they realized that birthday celebrations were giving undue honor to creatures (one reason that early Christians never celebrated birthdays), the Bible Students quit this practice too
For years, Bible Students wore a cross and crown as a badge of identification, and this symbol was on the front cover of the "Watch Tower" from 1891 to 1931. But in 1928 it was emphasized that not a decorative symbol but one's activity as a witness showed he was a Christian. In 1936 it was pointed out that the evidence indicates that Christ died on a stake, not a two-beamed cross
12 What effect does the Kingdom good news have on those who respond to it?
Today as in Jesus' day, the good news gives hope and comfort. (Romans 12:12;
15:4) It gives honesthearted ones hope because they learn that there are
solid reasons for believing that better times are ahead. (Matthew 6:9, 10; 2
Peter 3:13) Such hope greatly helps Godfearing ones to maintain a positive
outlook. The psalmist states that they "will not be afraid even of bad
news."-Psalm 112:1, 7.
Jesus' day--then why use an OT theme scripture?
honesthearted ones--buzz phrase
Solid reasons--1914, 1915, 1925, 1975, (1984), (1994), all dates the WTS held out as solid reasons for believing better times are ahead.
Godfearing ones--remember the WT article on who these people are?
w98 9/15 p. 30 A Bible Translation That Changed the World
What is the difference between a proselyte and a God-fearer? Proselytes were full converts, considered Jews in every sense because they accepted the God of Israel (rejecting all other gods), underwent circumcision, and joined themselves to the nation of Israel. In contrast, Cohen says regarding God-fearers: "Although these gentiles observed any number of Jewish practices and venerated in one form or another the God of the Jews, they did not see themselves as Jews and were not seen by others as Jews." Klausner describes them as "standing in a middle position," for they accepted Judaism and "observed a part of its customs, but . . . did not become complete Jews."
Positive outlook--see "positive tenor" above
A Message That Will "Bind Up the Brokenhearted"
13 In addition, the good news we preach brings immediate relief and
blessings to those who listen to it. How? Some of the blessings were
indicated by the prophet Isaiah when he foretold: "The spirit of the
Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me, for the reason that Jehovah has anointed
me to tell good news to the meek ones. He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to those taken captive and the wide
opening of the eyes even to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of goodwill
on the part of Jehovah and the day of vengeance on the part of our God; to
comfort all the mourning ones."-Isaiah 61:1, 2; Luke 4:16-21.
Brings immediate relief and blessings
How?
14 According to that prophecy, by preaching the good news, Jesus would "bind
up the brokenhearted." What a telling word picture Isaiah used! According to
one Bible dictionary, the Hebrew word translated "bind up" "is often used of
`binding' on a bandage, and thus of medicating and healing the wounded." A
caring nurse may wrap a bandage or a compress around a victim's injured body
part to give it support. In the same way, when preaching the Kingdom
message, caring publishers give support to all responsive ones who are
suffering in some way. And by supporting those in need, they reflect
Jehovah's concern. (Ezekiel 34:15,16) The psalmist states concerning God: "He
is healing the brokenhearted ones, and is binding up their painful
spots."-Psalm 147:3.
By preaching the good news, Jesus would "bind up the brokenhearted"--is the good news Jesus preached what the WTS preaches? Do they help sick non-JWs they meet; do they feed non-JWs they meet? Or do they hand them a publication and send them on their way?
Publishers--buzzword; why not Christians or preachers or even JWs?
Give support to all "responsive" ones--meaning people who agree to study and go to the KH in the expected time
Reflect Jehovah's concern--where's Jesus? Wasn't Jesus apply Isaiah 61:1,2 to himself?
What about in the JW congregation? JWs only help JWs "who have a long history of faithful service." So as soon as an individual is baptized they drop to the bottom of the list of those who qualify for support.
Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry How the Ministry is Supported p. 123
A situation may arise where it might become necessary for the congregation as a whole to consider providing some form of assistance to certain needy brothers and sisters who have a long history of faithful service. If there are no family members or others relatives (JW or non-JW), the body of elders can make appropriate recommendations and suggeestions to provide some help.
How the Kingdom Message Makes a Difference
15 Numerous real-life examples illustrate how the Kingdom message does
indeed support and strengthen those who are brokenhearted. Consider Oreanna,
an elderly woman in South America, who had given up on life. A Witness of
Jehovah began visiting Oreanna and reading to her the Bible and the
publication My Book o f Bible Stories.* (* Published by Jehovah's
Witnesses.) At first, the depressed woman listened to the reading while
lying in bed with her eyes closed, from time to time heaving sighs. Before
long, though, she began to make an effort to sit up in her bed during the
reading. Some time later, she was sitting in a chair in the living room,
waiting for her Bible teacher to come. Next, the woman began attending
Christian meetings at the Kingdom Hall. Encouraged by what she learned at
those gatherings, she began to offer Bible literature to anyone passing by
her house. Then, at age 93, Oreanna was baptized as one of Jehovah's
Witnesses. The Kingdom message had renewed her desire to live.-Proverbs
15:30; 16:24.
Reading to her the Bible and publication My Book of Bible Stories--only the scriptures outlined in the book not just randomly from the Bible. JWs who read only the Bible are labeled "apostates."
Published by Jehovah's Witnesses--This used to read "published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society." Makes you wonder why the change since the WTS has scrupulously tried to keep the publishing business part separate from the so-called "preaching component" of the organization.
Moral of this story: Reading the Bible Story book will get you out of bed, to the meetings and baptized, and pushing WT literature at the age of 93.
16 The Kingdom message gives crucial support even to those who know that
their life is about to be cut short by illness. Take as an example Maria
from Western Europe. She was suffering from a terminal disease and had lost
all hope. She was deeply depressed when she was contacted by Jehovah's
Witnesses. However, when she learned about God's purposes, her life became
meaningful again. She was baptized and became very active in the preaching
work. During the final two years of her life, her eyes radiated hope and
joy. Maria died with a firm hope in the resurrection.-Romans 8:38, 39.
She was deeply depressed when she was contacted by Jehovah's Witnesses.
I can think of JWs that needed contact with their fellow JWs but didn't get it. They killed themselves.
Experiences like this are carefully chosen to shame JWs who are not being "faithful" or "active" enough. Notice that both involve women. Where are the men?
17 Such reports testify to the difference the Kingdom message can make in
the lives of ones who long for Bible truths. Individuals who mourn the death
of a loved one gain new strength when they learn about the resurrection
hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13) People who live in poverty and struggle to feed
their family find new dignity and courage when they learn that Jehovah will
never forsake them if they are loyal to him. (Psalm 37:28) With Jehovah's
help, many who are overwhelmed by depression gradually develop the strength
needed to cope and in some cases are even enabled to overcome that illness.
(Psalm 40:1, 2) Indeed, by means of the power supplied through his Word,
Jehovah is right now "raising up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145:14) By
observing how the Kingdom good news brings comfort to brokenhearted ones in
our territory and in the Christian congregation, we are time and again
reminded that we have the best news available today! -Psalm 51:17.
Blurb on page 20: Prayer helps us to endure in our ministry
Who are targeted
Old
Ill
Depressed
Mourners over dead family/friends
Materially poor
Jehovah will never forsake them if they are loyal to him--where is Jesus? Where does the help come from on earth? Other JWs--only if you have been faithfully serving a long time. The elders will tell you to go to your family (JW or not) for help or to government agencies or charity organizations, they might even help you fill out the paperwork.
Overwhelmed by depression, strength to cope, in some cases overcome that illness
No mention of going to a doctor though.
w90 3/15 pp. 29-30 How to Help Depressed Ones Regain Joy
Of course, elders in general are not doctors and may therefore find their efforts limited in some cases. They, along with members of the depressed person's family, may need to encourage that one to seek professional help. If necessary, elders or family members can clearly explain to any professional the importance of respecting the depressed one's religious convictions.
"My Supplication to God for Them"
18 Although our message contains the best news, many reject it. How might
this affect us? In the same way that it did the apostle Paul. He often
preached to Jews, but most of them rejected the message of salvation. Their
refusal affected Paul deeply. He admitted: "I have great grief and unceasing
pain in my heart." (Romans 9:2) Paul felt compassion for the Jews to whom he
preached. It saddened him that they rejected the good news.
The best news--I wonder what the JWs are telling people in Niger? Maybe some food with that WT.
Rejected the message of salvation--so salvation only comes through the JWs, eh?
19 We too preach the good news out of compassion. Hence, it is
understandable that we may feel discouraged when many people reject the
Kingdom message. Such a reaction shows that we have genuine concern for the
spiritual welfare of those to whom we preach. However, we do well to
remember the example of the apostle Paul. What helped him to continue in his
preaching work? Although the Jews' refusal to accept the good news caused
him grief and pain, Paul did not give up on all Jews, thinking that they
were beyond help. His hope was that there were still some who would accept
Christ. Hence, concerning his feelings toward individual Jews, Paul wrote:
"The goodwill of my heart and my supplication to God for them are, indeed,
for their salvation."-Romans 10:1.
Compassion--genuine concern--not give up--thinking they were beyond help
If JWs really felt this way, you couldn't keep them away from the doors. But they have been drilled weekly that non-JWs are bad association, profligate sinners, who are doomed, only a few who will every listen; that even if not a single person becomes a JW because of their "preaching," they will still get life everlasting on a paradise earth.
Toward individual Jews--Paul may have been able to see the individuals but JWs can only see the large group of non-JWs doomed to destruction. JWs hope that it comes any day wishing away the lives of over 6 billion, men, women and children.
20 Notice the two things that Paul highlighted. It was his heart's desire
that some individuals would find salvation, and he supplicated God to that
end. Today, we follow Paul's example. We maintain a heartfelt desire to
locate any who might still be rightly disposed toward the good news. We keep
on praying to Jehovah that we may find such individuals so that we may help
them to follow the course that will lead to their salvation.-Proverbs 11:30;
Ezekiel 33:11; John 6:44.
Find salvation--only through the WTS
Rightly disposed--buzz phrase
Follow the course that will lead to their salvation--only through the WTS
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.
21 However, to reach as many individuals as possible with the Kingdom
message, we need to pay attention not only to why and what we preach but
also to how we preach. This subject will be considered in the following
article.
To reach as many individuals as possible
Then going door to door when people are not likely to be home, weekdays and Saturday mornings is not the way to do it. What ever happened to field service before the evening book study? What happened to field service on weekday evenings, or weekend evenings? It interferes with the average JW's social calendar.
Concluding Comments
The most surprising thing in this article was two quotes by the WTS from secular sources with no indication of source, date, location, etc., and cannot be verified Yet this information is supposed to support their statement:
The scene of this world is definitely changing-for the worse.
Jesus is taken out of the picture to the point that Isaiah 61:1,2 is applied to God rather than Jesus who read it to a group of Jews at his local synagogue and applied it to himself and was almost killed for it. Was Jesus wrong, should he have been applied to Jehovah?
Evidently JWs don't know what is the main message is they preach, they see only the "blessings" they will experience not what non-JWs will experience, that they aren't continuing in their ministry, and they don't see any reasons to continue in the ministry since no one listens and the "end is near."
Love, Blondie
What Have You Learned?
- What is the main message that we preach?
- What blessings are experienced by those who accept the Kingdom message?
- What will help us to continue in our ministry?
- For what reasons do we share in the ministry?
Questions
1, 2. (a) What dreadful things are happening every day? (b) How do many
people react to hearing bad news constantly?
3. (a) What good news does the Bible proclaim? (b) Why do you value the good
news of the Kingdom?
4. Which aspects of our ministry will we consider in this and the following
article?
5. (a) Above all, what motivates us to share in the ministry? (b) Why can it
be said that our obedience to the Biblical command to preach is an
expression of love for God?
6. In what ways does love for God motivate us to preach?
7. Besides love for God, for what other important reason do we share in the
preaching work?
8. What does the account in Mark chapter 6 show about Jesus' feelings for
people?
9. What do we learn from the account in Mark chapter 6 regarding the right
motive for preaching?
10, 11. (a) How does Isaiah describe the message that we preach? (b) How did
Jesus bring good news of something better, and how have God's servants in
modern times followed Jesus' example?
12. What effect does the Kingdom good news have on those who accept it?
13. How does the prophet Isaiah describe the immediate blessings that come
to those who accept the good news?
14. (a) What does the expression "bind up the brokenhearted" indicate about
the Kingdom message? (b) How do we reflect Jehovah's concern for
brokenhearted ones?
15, 16. What real-life examples illustrate how the Kingdom message gives
support and strength to those in need?
17. (a) How is the Kingdom message making a difference in the lives of those
who accept it? (b) In what ways have you personally experienced that Jehovah
is "raising up all who are bowed down"?
18. How was Paul affected by the Jews' rejection of the good news, and why?
19. (a) Why is it understandable that we may feel discouraged at times? (b)
What helped Paul to continue in his preaching work?
20, 21. (a) Regarding our ministry, how can we follow Paul's example? (b)
What aspect of our min istry will be considered in the following article?