Here is a link to a discussion with the number of the anointed numbers up to 2023 (no stats for 2024 yet) Yes, the WTS has never really give an explanation of why the increase, but the author of this piece uses statements by the WTS and then explains why this is a problem. Site is run by an ex-jw Bethelite and this site has been up for around 20 years, constantly being up with new information from the WTS. Many other topics that might quickly answer some of your questions.
Posts by blondie
-
47
2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change
by Listener ina change to their doctrine came from jackson.
this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.
but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.
-
19
The World Today
by peacefulpete ini've been meaning to share some recent experiences that defy the usual tropes about the 'world gone to hell' or 'people now days".. as some of you may remember i was seriously ill for a while and had to close my business and shop.
now, as it seems i have beaten it, i put up a sign again advertising that in a limited way i'm back.. what amazes me is how many times over the past 2 years customers and even competition have written and called to express their concern and best wishes.
just last week i had a personal visit of someone who i thought of as a rival, come in and shake my hand sincerely happy to see me up and around.
-
blondie
Phizzy, so sorry to hear about your wife dying. Processing is hard. But having friends to support is great.
-
47
2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change
by Listener ina change to their doctrine came from jackson.
this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.
but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.
-
blondie
I vote in every election, try to help proven good people (by their actions, not their words, see how their promises worked out) to get re-elected, money and my time, local and national, especially local. I don't try to predict the future, or based on current events and past ones, that this will happen. I have lived through 3 times on the earth being on the brink of WW3 (I had military contacts and behind the scenes of what the public were not being told). I see that now, some or too many similarities. I hope that people today and world leaders are starting to see this. I am trying to be positive and do practical things I can. I don't ascribe to any WTS teachings on this matter, or other religions predictions. I have seen too many fail and be adjusted. I hope things work out, or do what I can to be part of the solution, not the problem, I try to value all people as we are all in the same boat, the earth that is.
-
164
How did JWs arrive at a clearer understanding of what the Bible teaches than other Christian denominations?
by slimboyfat infor jws who believe that jehovah had a hand in reviving the truth in the nineteenth century this is enough explanation for how jws managed to achieve a closer approximation to early christian beliefs and practices than other groups.
but is there an explanation for this phenomenon that doesn’t rely on supernatural intervention?
new testament scholar james dunn explains the difficulty of interpreting the biblical texts in this way:.
-
blondie
I was curious about how the WTS depended on quotes of people outside of the WTS, to confirm the WTS teachings. Can they not use the scriptures to do that? Did Jesus quote Jewish bible scholars of his time or before? And there were "bible" experts, Sadducees, priests, Pharisees, and many bible readers know how Jesus felt about them. These groups developed an alternate book to the Old Testament to teach the "common" people what those scriptures really meant, and it has become known as the Talmud (not the Torah), approximately 600 statements and the Jews were required to follow that, that is the religious leaders opinions. Many times the scholars the WTS quotes from, on further examination, actually believed in things totally contrary to what their "bible" says. I wondered that for many years. I have been in the WT library at Bethel and read many WTS books not available to jws outside Bethel. That was eye-opening to me. I would be wary of using outside sources (that the WTS has not held in high esteem) to support. (Once again reporting, not supporting the WTS ideas) Love, Blondie
-
47
2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change
by Listener ina change to their doctrine came from jackson.
this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.
but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.
-
blondie
DisgruntledFool, not a fool in my opinion. You provide a good example of what the WTS has "adjusted". But have seen the light, or as I call it an AHA moment.
-
6
The Bible Does Not Say
by blondie inthe wts often uses the phrase about then follows with their idea of what their god meant.
i have p0sted some of the most recent.
it is worth a look at more.
-
blondie
The WTS often uses the phrase about then follows with their idea of what their god meant. I have p0sted some of the most recent. It is worth a look at more. Link if you want to use it. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=%22the+bible+does+not+say%22&st=f&p=par&r=newest
o
nwtsty - Study Bible
· Enduring Injustice (1 occurrence)
·
o
The Bible does not say that Joseph defended himself against the false accusation of Potiphar’s wife.o
w24 May p. 32 - The Watchtower (Study)—2024
· Trust in the Merciful “Judge of All the Earth”! (1 occurrence)
·
o
o
The Bible does not say.o
w24 May pp. 2-7 - The Watchtower (Study)—2024
· Will Jehovah Answer My Prayers? (1 occurrence)
·
o
o
The Bible does not say.co
w23 November pp. 20-25 - The Watchtower (Study)—2023
· Questions From Readers (1 occurrence)
·
o
The Bible does not say.o
w23 June p. 31 - The Watchtower (Study)—2023
· Questions From Readers (1 occurrence)
·
o
The Bible does not say, but here are some possible ways.o
w23 March p. 14 - The Watchtower (Study)—2023
· November (1 occurrence)
·
o
The Bible does not say.o
es23 pp. 108-118 - Examining the Scriptures—2023
· Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Have Rules About Dating? (1 occurrence)
·
o
o
The Bible does not say that we need to date or that it is the only way to marriage.o
ijwfq article 43 - Frequently Asked Questions About Jehovah’s Witnesses (ijwfq)
· “Strengthening the Congregations” (1 occurrence)
·
o
o
The Bible does not say why he left, but the apostle Paul evidently viewed Mark’s action as irresponsible.o
bt chap. 15 pp. 117-123 - Bearing Witness (bt)
·
-
73
JWN, 23 years posting Blondie
by blondie incan i call you friends, i think so after 23 years posting here.
i am dismayed how jwn is being "dominated" or taken over by a few posters, peppering the comments.
in the past, the admin did not approve of this and did remove some posters from jwn.
-
blondie
Can I call you friends, I think so after 23 years posting here. I am dismayed how JWN is being "dominated" or taken over by a few posters, peppering the comments. In the past, the admin did not approve of this and did remove some posters from JWN. Also, long comments quoting from many bible scholars of the past, many who did not agree with other scholars, makes the post unclear to those who don't rely on the scholars to support their ideas and some times getting into a competition of who is right, never coming to a conclusion. The ex-jws that came here, do not see themselves as bible scholars, but trying to keep their comments more brief and to the point. Some old-timers on here also see the change and manner of posts. We are here partly to help people trying to leave the WTS, clarify or more correctly "confirm" their observations with personal experiences and questions of the intent behind the WTS ever-changing doctrines and policies. I wish Simon could again take a closer at the posts. Just my observation after 23 years of participation on JWN, Love, Blondie, your friend.
-
47
2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change
by Listener ina change to their doctrine came from jackson.
this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.
but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.
-
blondie
The WTS has said that the marriage of the Bride of Christ and Jesus cannot happen, until of the "true" anointed are resurrected to heaven. Considering how many of the newer governing body members are quite young, 40's and 50's and they have said that all will be resurrected to heaven before the wedding starts, what about these younger governing body members? Does that mean they will have to live out their natural lives before they are resurrected (the WTS has said that the resurrection of the anointed started long after the 1st century, and actually started in the early 20th century and that thereafter when "true" anointed WTS members died faithful, they would be resurrected "in the twinkling of an eye." So will younger governing body members have to die before natural and taken to heaven so they can be there for the marriage? (reminds me of the non-WTS teaching of the rapture) Or will the "end" have to wait till the death of the last governing body member? With so many jws getting the "calling" late in life (more than just the governing body, but all 144,000 anointed (all self-claimed) are in heaven" On the recent info on 2 more governing body members being appointed by the other members, what happens then? Can we "assume" that the average lifespan now is around 80 years (sic), and some will reach that age, can we assume that the end is yet 30 years in the future? And with the "overlapping generation" teaching how much farther will that put out the time for the marriage to begin. The marriage cannot start until all "true" anointed are in heaven, Can you conclude then that some of the anointed will die sooner, not of natural causes, also pushing out the timeline? I don't see how this explanation does not open up the need to make other "adjustments" and "clarifications: (WTS terms not mine)? (and when says "we" they mean the governing body since only they, not the rest of the anointed, have that privilege to make adjustments and clarifications? I know many on JWN will have their long convuluted explanations, but I am not looking for that. Just that readers here, look at the possibilities that the WTS needs to address. Love Blondie (who does not claim to be a bible scholar or feel that quoting other "bible scholars" is true support of their ideas. Give your own opinion not that of others.) Just reporting, not supporting WTS ideas.
-
47
2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change
by Listener ina change to their doctrine came from jackson.
this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.
but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.
-
blondie
I see the word "assumed" used, it made me remember this proverb "When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me." Once again they do make an ass out of themselves and unfortunately other believing jws.
-
56
Annual Meeting live updates
by ukpimo ini have obtained the live link for the annual meeting tomorrow:.
annual meeting live link.
the meeting will begin at 9:45am eastern time, for those of us in the uk, that will be 2:45pm.
-
blondie
Between 1972 and 1975, the Governing Body was enlarged to 18 members.