The WTS does leave themselves a window of opportunity to renege on 2023: Governing Body has decided that, Jehovah willing, we will resume in-person regional conventions in 2023". I wonder how their god will tell them he is not willing?
Posts by blondie
-
18WT to Resume In-Person Conventions 2023
by Smiles in"breaking news | 2023 conventions.
we are pleased to announce that the governing body has decided that, jehovah willing, we will resume in-person regional conventions in 2023. branches will now begin scheduling dates and selecting venues.
we pray for jehovah’s rich blessing to be with all those involved in the planning.".
-
-
-
20
Michael Jackson Jehovah's Witness Thriller
by researcher1010 ini'm a reporter working on a series about michael jackson.
part of this series will look at his life as a jehovah's witness and his relationship to the faith.
i've already spoken to a few ex-witnesses and one elder who have explained jw 101 beliefs and teachings.
-
-
blondie
This came out in the May 22, 1984, Awake, p.19-20 "“I Would Never Do It Again!”
In another popular video, Thriller, the performer is seen to transform first into a “cat person,” then a dancing “monster.” Evidently not wanting viewers to conclude that it promoted spiritism, the film begins with the disclaimer: “Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult.—Michael Jackson.” Nevertheless, it was so realistic that some who saw it admitted that they were horrified at first. What was this short film intended to convey? And how does the performer, Michael Jackson, feel about it in looking back?
“I would never do it again!” says Jackson. “I just intended to do a good, fun short film, not to purposely bring to the screen something to scare people or to do anything bad. I want to do what’s right. I would never do anything like that again.” Why not? “Because a lot of people were offended by it,” explains Jackson. “That makes me feel bad. I don’t want them to feel that way. I realize now that it wasn’t a good idea. I’ll never do a video like that again!” He continues: “In fact, I have blocked further distribution of the film over which I have control, including its release in some other countries. There’s all kinds of promotional stuff being proposed on Thriller. But I tell them, ‘No, no, no. I don’t want to do anything on Thriller. No more Thriller.’”"
-
27
Randall Watters our old friend
by new boy indoes anyone here know his where about or have any updates on him?
he hasn't been active his face book in over a year.
.
-
-
blondie
new boy, thanks for doing that extra research. I only had time to search for some possible contacts and not check them out with deeper research.
-
13
Anyone else heard this?
by BoogerMan inthe other day, i chatted to an elderly woman and her daughter who was about 45-50. total strangers.. we were discussing covid when the daughter said, "my neighbor studies with jw's, and the jw's told her 3 months before the virus started, that they had to stop going from door to door because something was coming.".
i've never heard anything like this before - have you?.
-
-
blondie
The WTS gives them an out regarding their understanding prophecy right here: Current statements in 2020:
April 2020 WT Study magazine, p. 2
As those Bible students soon found out, however, it can be one thing to learn what the Bible teaches about a certain doctrinal subject but quite another to discern correctly the meaning of a Bible prophecy. Why is that so? For one thing, Bible prophecies are often best understood when they are undergoing fulfillment or after they have been fulfilled.
** w11 12/1 p. 12 Who Can Interpret Prophecy? ***
“Interpretations belong to God” also in that he determines and directs when a prophecy is to be understood by his faithful servants on earth. The meaning of a prophecy can be discerned before, during, or after its fulfillment. Since God tied up the prophecies, he will unravel them at the right time—his time.
Or this: *** w11 12/1 p. 12 Who Can Interpret Prophecy? ***
The inspired prophets of old, such as Daniel, did not personally analyze the current trends of their time and then attempt to unravel a complicated future by uttering a prophecy. If they had tried to force the future to unfold in this way, such prophesying would have originated in their own imagination. It would then have been a human prediction, a forecast built upon an imperfect foundation.
Or this: w04 2/1 p. 21 par. 13 "The Scene of This World Is Changing" ***
Since Bible prophecies are often fully understood only after they are fulfilled or are in the process of fulfillment,
we will have to wait and see.***
w00 3/15 p. 13 par. 12 ‘O God, Send Out Your Light’ ***Just as the apostles understood many prophecies concerning the Messiah only after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Christians today understand Bible prophecy in its finest detail only after it has been fulfilled.
-
11
Do you remember Circuit Leasing
by blondie inhttps://www.jehovahs-witness.com/search/?q=circuit+leasing .
-
-
-
49
Military Service Confusion
by Sea Breeze incan someone please call these three guys and tell them that the first gentile christian was an active duty roman military officer named cornelius.
these guys have been locked up for 25 years!.
-
-
blondie
Be wary when the WTS uses this phrase or the equivalent, "The Scriptures, though, do not tell us what Cornelius and others did after their conversion. No doubt" as the WTS will add to scriptures and justify it by adding "no doubt" somehow means they are not adding to a scripture. Interestingly, this quote was hard to find using the Watchtower Online Library (WOL). Are they trying to hide it, perhaps? (see WT 9/1/1986).
"The Scriptures, though, do not tell us what Cornelius and others did after their conversion. No doubt" Good catch!
A few more examples: "
The Bible does not say how long it took Noah to build the ark, but it seems that he spent several decades building it.
The Bible does not say, but even by the end of the first century, the number of believers must have been far fewer than 144,000.
The Bible does not say, but the way events unfolded suggests that consideration for young Samuel was an important factor.
The Bible does not say, but we have good reason to believe
Life begins at conception. Jehovah can resurrect individuals of whatever stage of life because “all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27) But the Bible does not directly say whether he will resurrect unborn children who died in the womb.
-
141
My Prediction Regarding New Space Telescope That Will See Back to 100 Million Years From the Big Bang
by Sea Breeze ina new space telescope launched a few days age that will supposedly be able to see to within 100 million years of the big bang.
wow... only 100 million years from the big bang.
that is pretty early given the 12 billion year age of the universe assigned by scholars who adhere to naturalism.
-
-
blondie
hahahahaha
-
37
Anybody interested in Judah Ben Schroeder? Here's two links. See if you can find who Judah works for. The info is in the first link.
by AndersonsInfo inhttp://theworldnewsmedia.org/charlotte+schroeder+%28may+9,1920+to+june+19,+2013%29.
and here's how judah looks as seen in a recent video - especially posted for those who knew judah over the years.
closet factory testimonial from judah schroeder.
-
-
-
27
Randall Watters our old friend
by new boy indoes anyone here know his where about or have any updates on him?
he hasn't been active his face book in over a year.
.
-
-
blondie
I use https://www.fastpeoplesearch.com/ to find people online. It is fairly comprehensive and you can identify which Randall Watters is correct with just a little personal knowledge. Sometimes it records if the person is deceased. He is also list on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Randall.K.Watters https://m.facebook.com/randall.watters.10
-
-
-
blondie
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2022400 (Pictures cut out, can see on this link)
STUDY ARTICLE 19
Revelation—What It Means for You Today
“Happy is the one who reads aloud . . . the words of this prophecy.”—REV. 1:3.
SONG 15 Praise Jehovah’s Firstborn!
PREVIEW*
1-2. What is one reason why we should be interested in the book of Revelation?
HAVE you ever been invited to look through a photo album belonging to someone else? As you glance at the photos, you see mostly unfamiliar faces. One particular photo, however, catches your attention. Why? Because you are in that photo. As you study it, you try to remember when the picture was taken and where. You also try to identify everyone else in the photo. That photo is especially meaningful to you.
2 The book of Revelation is like that photograph. Why? For at least two reasons. First, this Bible book was written for us. In the very first verse, we read: “A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place.” (Rev. 1:1) So, what is written in this book is not for people in general but for us, God’s dedicated servants. As God’s people, we should not be surprised to discover that we are sharing in the fulfillment of the prophecies found in this fascinating book. In other words, we find ourselves “in the photo.”
3-4. According to the book of Revelation, when would its prophecies be fulfilled, and what effect should that have on each one of us?
3 The second reason involves the time when these prophecies are to be fulfilled. The aged apostle John identified that time when he said: “By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day.” (Rev. 1:10) When John wrote those words in about 96 C.E., “the Lord’s day” was still far off. (Matt. 25:14, 19; Luke 19:12) But according to Bible prophecy, that day started in 1914 when Jesus was enthroned as King in heaven. From that year onward, the prophecies of Revelation, which involve God’s people, started to undergo fulfillment. Yes, we are now living in “the Lord’s day”!
4 Because we are living in this thrilling time, we are the ones who need to pay special attention to the loving counsel recorded at Revelation 1:3: “Happy is the one who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy and who observe the things written in it, for the appointed time is near.” Indeed, we need to ‘read aloud,’ to “hear the words of this prophecy,” and to “observe” them. What are some of these words that we need to observe?
MAKE SURE THAT YOUR WORSHIP IS ACCEPTABLE
5. How does the book of Revelation emphasize the need to make sure that our worship is acceptable to Jehovah?
5 Right from the first chapter of Revelation, we learn that Jesus is fully aware of what is happening in the congregations of his people. (Rev. 1:12-16, 20; 2:1) Jesus demonstrated such awareness in the messages he sent to seven congregations in Asia Minor. In those messages, he gave specific direction to help first-century Christians make sure that their worship was acceptable to Jehovah. Moreover, what is said in those messages applies to all of God’s people today. What is the lesson for us? Our Leader, Christ Jesus, is well-aware of our spiritual condition. We are under Jesus’ protective oversight; nothing escapes his eyes. He knows what we need to do in order to continue enjoying Jehovah’s approval. What direction did he give that we need to observe today?
6. (a) As highlighted at Revelation 2:3, 4, what fundamental problem was revealed in Jesus’ message to the congregation in Ephesus? (b) What lesson do we learn from this?
6 Read Revelation 2:3, 4. We must not lose our first love for Jehovah. Jesus’ message to those in the congregation in Ephesus indicated that they had shown endurance and that they had continued without letup to serve Jehovah in spite of various challenges. Even so, they had lost the love they had at first. They needed to rekindle that love—otherwise, their worship would not be acceptable. Likewise today, we need to do more than endure. We need to endure for the right reasons. Our God is interested in not only what we do but also why we do it. Our motives are important to him because he expects our worship to be based on our deep love and appreciation for him.—Prov. 16:2; Mark 12:29, 30.
7. (a) As shown at Revelation 3:1-3, what problem did Jesus see with regard to those in Sardis? (b) What do we need to do?
7 Read Revelation 3:1-3. We must continue to remain awake and alert. The members of the congregation in Sardis had a different problem. Even though they had been spiritually active in the past, they were becoming lax in their service to God. Jesus therefore told them to “wake up.” What is the warning lesson for us? Of course, Jehovah will not forget our work. (Heb. 6:10) Still, we cannot rely merely on what we have done in the past in Jehovah’s service. Though we may have more limitations than before, we need to keep busy in “the work of the Lord,” remaining awake and alert right to the end.—1 Cor. 15:58; Matt. 24:13; Mark 13:33.
8. What lesson do we learn from the words that were directed to the brothers in Laodicea, as found at Revelation 3:15-17?
8 Read Revelation 3:15-17. We must be zealous and wholehearted in our worship. Jesus’ message to those in Laodicea highlighted yet a different problem. They were “lukewarm” in their worship. Because of their apathy, Jesus told them that they were in a “miserable and pitiful” state. They needed to display fiery zeal for Jehovah and his worship. (Rev. 3:19) What is the lesson for us? If we have lost a measure of our zeal, we must stir up our appreciation for the spiritual riches we have. (Rev. 3:18) Never would we want to allow the pursuit of a comfortable lifestyle to distract us, causing us to relegate spiritual activities to second place.
9. As indicated in Jesus’ messages to Christians in Pergamum and Thyatira, what danger do we need to avoid?
9 We must reject the teachings of apostates. Jesus reproved some in Pergamum for promoting divisions and sects. (Rev. 2:14-16) He commended those in Thyatira who had steered clear of the “deep things of Satan,” and he urged them to “hold fast” to the truth. (Rev. 2:24-26) Weak Christians there who had allowed themselves to be seduced by false teachings needed to repent. What about us today? We must reject any teaching that is opposed to Jehovah’s thinking. Apostates may have “an appearance of godliness,” but they prove “false to its power.” (2 Tim. 3:5) It is easier to identify and reject false teachings when we are diligent students of God’s Word.—2 Tim. 3:14-17; Jude 3, 4.
10. What further lesson can we learn from what Jesus said to the congregations in Pergamum and Thyatira?
10 We must not engage in, tolerate, or condone any form of immorality. There was yet another problem in Pergamum and Thyatira. Jesus condemned some in those congregations for not rejecting immorality. (Rev. 2:14, 20) What is the lesson for us? We cannot expect Jehovah to excuse any immoral activity on our part, even if we have served him for many years and presently enjoy a number of privileges. (1 Sam. 15:22; 1 Pet. 2:16) He expects us to maintain his high moral standards no matter how much the world’s standards plummet.—Eph. 6:11-13.
11. What have we learned so far? (See also the box “Lessons for Us Today.”)
11 How can we summarize what we have learned so far? We have seen the need to make sure that our worship is acceptable to Jehovah. If we are doing something that could make our worship unacceptable, we need to take immediate action to make things right. (Rev. 2:5, 16; 3:3, 16) Jesus, however, highlighted something else in his messages to the congregations. What is it?
Lessons for Us Today
· Do not lose your first love for Jehovah
· Remain awake and alert
· Be zealous and wholehearted in your worship
· Reject all apostate teachings
· Do not engage in, tolerate, or condone any form of immorality
BE WILLING TO ENDURE PERSECUTION
After Satan was cast out of heaven, how has he attacked God’s people? (See paragraphs 12-16)
12. What did Jesus say to the brothers in Smyrna and Philadelphia that should be of interest to us today? (Revelation 2:10)
12 Let us now consider Jesus’ messages to the congregations in Smyrna and Philadelphia. He told Christians there not to be afraid to suffer persecution, since their faithfulness would be rewarded. (Read Revelation 2:10; 3:10) What is the lesson for us today? We must expect persecution and be willing to endure it. (Matt. 24:9, 13; 2 Cor. 12:10) Why is this reminder important?
13-14. How are God’s people affected by the events described in Revelation chapter 12?
13 The book of Revelation informs us that God’s people would be persecuted in our day—“the Lord’s day.” Revelation chapter 12 mentions that war breaks out in heaven immediately following the birth of God’s Kingdom. Michael—the glorified Jesus Christ—and his armies fight against Satan and the demons. (Rev. 12:7, 8) As a result, those enemies of God are defeated and cast down to the vicinity of the earth, bringing untold suffering to the earth and its inhabitants. (Rev. 12:9, 12) But how does this development affect God’s people?
14 Revelation next tells us how Satan reacts. He no longer has access to the heavenly realm, so he focuses his anger on the remnant of anointed ones, who are the earthly representatives of God’s Kingdom and who “have the work of bearing witness concerning Jesus.” (Rev. 12:17; 2 Cor. 5:20; Eph. 6:19, 20) How has this prophecy been fulfilled?
15. Who are represented by the “two witnesses” mentioned in Revelation chapter 11, and what happened to them?
15 Satan instigated an attack on the anointed brothers who were taking the lead in the Kingdom-preaching work. Prominent ones among them were the figurative “two witnesses” spoken of as being killed.* (Rev. 11:3, 7-11) In 1918, eight of the responsible brothers were convicted on false charges, and each was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. From a human standpoint, it appeared as if the work of these anointed ones had been “killed.”
16. What surprising development took place in 1919, but what has Satan continued to do since that time?
16 The prophecy in Revelation chapter 11 also stated that the “two witnesses” would be brought back to life after a short period of time. In the fulfillment, something surprising happened in the very next year of their imprisonment. Early in 1919 those anointed brothers were released from prison, and later the charges were dropped. The brothers immediately got back to work—Kingdom work. But that did not stop Satan’s attacks on God’s people. Since that time, Satan has directed “a river” of persecution against all of God’s people. (Rev. 12:15) Truly, “this is where it calls for endurance and faith” on the part of each one of us.—Rev. 13:10.
BE FULLY INVOLVED IN THE WORK JEHOVAH HAS GIVEN US
17. What unexpected help have God’s people received, even though they have been the target of Satan’s attacks?
17 Revelation chapter 12 then indicates that God’s people would receive some help from an unexpected source. It would be as if “the earth” swallowed up “the river” of persecution. (Rev. 12:16) This is exactly what has happened. At times, the more stable elements of Satan’s world, such as certain judicial systems, have come to the rescue of God’s people. Time and again, Jehovah’s servants have won court cases that have allowed them a certain measure of freedom. How have they used this freedom? They have made full use of any opportunities to do the work Jehovah has given them. (1 Cor. 16:9) What does this work include?
What twofold message is being declared by God’s people? (See paragraphs 18-19)
18. What is our primary work during these last days?
18 Jesus prophesied that his people would declare the “good news of [God’s] Kingdom” throughout the earth before the end would come. (Matt. 24:14) In so doing, they benefit from the support of an angel, or a group of angels, described as having “everlasting good news to declare to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.”—Rev. 14:6.
19. What other message must be preached by those who love Jehovah?
19 The good news of the Kingdom is not the only message that God’s people are to declare. They also need to support the work of the angels who are described in Revelation chapters 8 through 10. These angels announce a series of woes for those who reject God’s Kingdom. Thus, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been declaring a judgment message, likened to “hail and fire,” revealing God’s judgments on the various elements of Satan’s wicked world. (Rev. 8:7, 13) People need to know that the end is near so that they can make drastic changes in their lives and survive Jehovah’s day of anger. (Zeph. 2:2, 3) But this message is not popular. Declaring it calls for courage on our part. During the great tribulation, the final judgment message will become more hard-hitting.—Rev. 16:21.
OBSERVE THE WORDS OF THE PROPHECY
20. What will we consider in the next two articles?
20 We truly need to observe “the words of this prophecy” because we are included in the fulfillment of what we read in the book of Revelation. (Rev. 1:3) But how can we faithfully endure persecution and continue to do our part in boldly declaring these messages? We will be strengthened by two things: first, by what the book of Revelation reveals about God’s enemies and, second, by the future blessings we will receive if we remain faithful. We will consider those subjects in the next two articles.
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
· What lessons do we learn from Jesus’ messages to the seven congregations?
· Why must we be prepared for persecution?
· What work needs to be done by God’s people in this time of the end?
SONG 32 Take Sides With Jehovah!
We are living in exciting times! Prophecies found in the book of Revelation are being fulfilled today. How do those prophecies affect us? This article and the two articles that follow will give us an overview of the book of Revelation. They will show us how we can keep our worship acceptable to Jehovah God by observing the things that are written in that book.
See “Questions From Readers” in The Watchtower, November 15, 2014, p. 30.