Highlights/Lowlights
Approximately 3.5 hours in length.
Jersey City Assembly Hall with 4,509 Locations tied in across the United States. Annual Meeting Combined attendance 671,126
Year text: Isaiah 40:31 - But those hoping in Jehovah will regain power
Starting Jan 2018 only 3 public editions of The Watchtower and 3 public editions of Awake! The whole magazine will cover ONE subject. "Is the bible still relevant today?" will be the first new magazine.
2018: They will no longer produce the Yearbook The GB has decided that all the info will be on jworg and broadcast. YB 2017 is the last one.
New Book: How to remain in God's love - It'll replace the current gods love book Keep Yourself In God's Love
A "Toolbox" section will be in the JW library app.
Spiritual Paradise is a state of mind.
Ezekiel's temple vision was fulfilled in 1919
https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/74rger/annual_meeting_2017_megathread/
Ezekiel's temple vision
Temple has no high priest or day of atonement
Temple is a worship arrangement
Paul shows us worship arrangement
Ezekiel shows us Jehovah's standard for worship
Ezekiel's temple vision is fulfilled in final days
Temple was fulfilled 29 c.e. Ezekiel's temple was fulfilled 1919
https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/74rger/annual_meeting_2017_megathread/do1lqbf/
Making Our Blows Count (talk by TPT on the change to ministry)
We are involved in the greatest preaching work in all history. We produce quality publications. The GB wants us to be clear that what Paul said reflects on everyone of us. "Not running around aimlessly." We are living with limited time left in this system. To truly make our blows count. Turn to acts 13:48, "all those rightly disposed for everlasting life became believers." To try to help someone who is not rightly disposed is a waste of time. Jehovah draws people to "the truth." Not our personalities.
The GB has identified two problems that adversely effect our effectiveness in the ministry. For many years we were focusing on placing magazines. For many years, people read our mags but have done nothing to make progress. We need to refocus. Jesus said to go and make disciples. Jesus did not say go place a lot of literature! We're reminded of Ezekiel 33:31, 32. "They will hear your words, but no one will act on them."
This is a time for decision, for people to act on what they learn. Let the angels and god's spirit take you to rightly disposed ones. Our work is two-fold, a warning work and a praise to God by being out there.
Problem 2 is this: too many tools. All of these publications are too overwhelming. It has become a tool shed! In view of this, the GB is making an adjustment. Jehovah's spirit is moving it.
Starting Jan 2018, there will only be 3 PUBLIC editions of the WT and 3 editions of the Awake for the year. And only one subject per magazine.
They will re-evaluate how this goes for two years, and then make any needed adjustments.
Changes to the STUDY EDITION to the WT, to simplify the style of the standard edition. Allows for a larger font style. The GB decided, as of January 1, 2019, they are combining their editions (so no more printed simplified and standard editions). Also, a new book, that has been dumbed down, I mean simplified.
https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/74w7fc/making_our_blows_count_talk_by_tpt_on_the_change/