Posts by ackack

21

"Jehovah saves groups not individuals"

by Rayvin in

this is what my dad told me .

i mentioned how i didn't want to attend a congregation where people were claiming to do good works in the name of god and knowing that they were doing opposite.

he says " well, when the last days come.. when ever that is... jehovah saves groups not individuals" well what we're in the wrong group dad?

ackack

I sorta thought the whole theme of the destruction of S&G was that God saves individuals, not groups. Did I miss something there?

ackack

9

Meat on fridays & hypocrisy

by ackack in

i was reading some older watchtower articles on the catholics and meat on fridays.

i only have a couple of quotes here.. tell me, he asked, how can i have confidence in anything?

how can i believe in the bible, in god, or have faith?

Meat on fridays & hypocrisy

by ackack in

i was reading some older watchtower articles on the catholics and meat on fridays.

i only have a couple of quotes here.. tell me, he asked, how can i have confidence in anything?

how can i believe in the bible, in god, or have faith?

ackack

Thanks tallp. You're cool.

This is just so nutty. I don't think I've ever read anything as nutty in WT before. But I guess before 1975 ANYTHING goes! HOOWOO! Denigrate other religious, it don't matter!

Reminds me of someone trashing their car because they're getting a new one tomorrow. Whoops. They didn't get the new car.

ackack

9

Meat on fridays & hypocrisy

by ackack in

i was reading some older watchtower articles on the catholics and meat on fridays.

i only have a couple of quotes here.. tell me, he asked, how can i have confidence in anything?

how can i believe in the bible, in god, or have faith?

ackack

I was reading some older watchtower articles on the Catholics and meat on fridays. I only have a couple of quotes here.

“Tell me,” he asked, “how can I have confidence in anything? How can I believe in the Bible, in God, or have faith? Just ten years ago we Catholics had the absolute truth, we put all our faith in this. Now the pope and our priests are telling us this is not the way to believe any more, but we are to believe ‘new things.’ How do I know the ‘new things’ will be the truth in five years?”

But whatever the reasons for the revision, this change in the confessional is serving further to shatter the confidence of many Catholics in their church. Within just recent memory revered “saints” have been dropped, the Mass has been altered, meat can be eaten on Friday, and now this change. Catholics may well be wondering: What next?

Can anyone place these quotes? Can anyone provide a full list of funny things said about this whole meat on fridays issue? Thanks! :)

ackack

8

Opposing family members == the devil?

by ackack in

i always found it uncomfortable that require brochure had me teaching that they needed to carry on despite opposition right from the get go.

to quote:not everyone will be happy to see you studying the bible, but do not let that stop you.

your eternal future depends on your getting to know god and doing his will despite any opposition.matthew 5:10-12; john 17:3.. .

ackack

I always found it uncomfortable that require brochure had me teaching that they needed to carry on despite opposition right from the get go. To quote:

Not everyone will be happy to see you studying the Bible, but do not let that stop you. Your eternal future depends on your getting to know God and doing his will despite any opposition.—Matthew 5:10-12; John 17:3.

I notice the November 15th WT on page 7 carries this out a little bit further. It says, quoting:

As you undertake a study of the Bible, you need to realize that Satan may use opposition or persecution to get you to stop learning the truth from God's Word. Some of your loved ones may become angry with you because you study the Bible. This may happen because they do not know the wonderful truths found in it. Others may make fun of you. But would succumbing to such pressures really please God? The Devil wants to discourage you so that you will stop learning about the true God. Why should you let Satan win? (Matthew 10:34-39) You owe him nothing. You owe Jehovah your very life. So, then, be determined to resist the Devil and 'make Jehovah's heart rejoice' -- Proverbs 27:11.

Where do I start with whats wrong with this? Basically,

loved ones + angry = satan
learning about God = becoming a JW
let Satan win? = black and white thinking.
You own Satan nothing, Satan = loved ones, you owe loved ones nothing
You own Jehovah everything, Jehovah == becoming a JW, you own JW's everything.

I find this really upsetting. There is more in this issue I'm sure we all will find disturbing, but I wanted to just draw this bit out, get everyone's comment on this. How did you feel about this as a JW? How do you feel about this now? I feel ashamed that I taught this stuff.. :(

ackack

42

The story of my life (part 7- Bethel, the end)

by onacruse in

jw
friends

ya know, it's odd how the "big" things just sometimes seem to bounce off your forehead, rather like seeing the trees instead of the forest.

well, fwiw, that was the state of mind (if you can call it that) i was in, after less than a year at bethel.

i was reassigned to the night-shift janitorial crew.

ackack

Your writing is excellent. Ever consider writing a book? I would buy it. :)

ackack

239

Watchtower Gives Up Explaining 607 BCE Date!

by VM44 in

this is a very important observation, that the watchtower has not tried to explain in print why 607 bce is the year for the destruction of jerusalem for the last 17 years!!!.

all that the watchtower has done over most of the last two decades is to repeat over and over the year "607bce" in its publications as if it is an unquestioned fact!.

the last time an explaination for the year was attempted by the watchtower was in 1988 when the "insight" volumes were published, but since then, no explaination for the validity of the year has appeared in print.. this must mean something, but what?

ackack

To quote from simpsons:

Lisa: All through history self-anointed seers have predicted the end of the world and they've always been wrong.
Homer: But sweetheart I have something they didn't have. A good feeling about this!
Thank God It's Doomsday

I believe this is actually how the chronology is calculated.

ackack

97

What silly rules did your congregation make up?

by weinermcgee in

jw
friends

elders were famous for making up stupid rules with no bible base at all as an ego trip i guess, what were some of yours?

i am not talking about the stupid rules that we all had to follow, just the congregation specific silly ones.. 1. having to button your jacket while on stage (this was later changed due to all the elders having a beer gut).

2. suits only or no privledges.

ackack

Spectre: this seem equivelent to the bethel rule that you couldn't come to morning worship if your hair wasn't completely dry. I seem to remember my cousin complaining she had to get up at 5:30 or some ungodly hour to get ready for it.

ackack

239

Watchtower Gives Up Explaining 607 BCE Date!

by VM44 in

this is a very important observation, that the watchtower has not tried to explain in print why 607 bce is the year for the destruction of jerusalem for the last 17 years!!!.

all that the watchtower has done over most of the last two decades is to repeat over and over the year "607bce" in its publications as if it is an unquestioned fact!.

the last time an explaination for the year was attempted by the watchtower was in 1988 when the "insight" volumes were published, but since then, no explaination for the validity of the year has appeared in print.. this must mean something, but what?

ackack

Scholar, which commentary supports your view?

I just looked around at a few commentaries, this is what I found.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

11. seventy years--(Jeremiah 27:7). The exact number of years of Sabbaths in four hundred ninety years, the period from Saul to the Babylonian captivity; righteous retribution for their violation of the Sabbath (Leviticus 26:34,35, 2 Chronicles 36:21). The seventy years probably begin from the fourth year of Jehoiakim, when Jerusalem was first captured, and many captives, as well as the treasures of the temple, were carried away; they end with the first year of Cyrus, who, on taking Babylon, issued an edict for the restoration of the Jews (Ezra 1:1). Daniel's seventy prophetic weeks are based on the seventy years of the captivity (compare Daniel 9:2,24).

13. all . . . written in this book, which Jeremiah . . . prophesied against all . . . nations--It follows from this, that the prophecies against foreign nations (forty-sixth through fifty-first chapters) must have been already written. Hence the Septuagint inserts here those prophecies. But if they had followed immediately (Jeremiah 25:13), there would have been no propriety in the observation in the verse. The very wording of the reference shows that they existed in some other part of the book, and not in the immediate context. It was in this very year, the fourth of Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:1,2), that Jeremiah was directed to write in a regular book for the first time all that he had prophesied against Judah and foreign "nations" from the beginning of his ministry. Probably, at a subsequent time, when he completed the whole work, including the forty-sixth through fifty-first chapters, Jeremiah himself inserted the clause, "all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations." The prophecies in question may have been repeated, as others in Jeremiah, more than once; so in the original smaller collection they may have stood in an earlier position; and, in the fuller subsequent collection, in their later and present position.

Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)

25:11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

seventy years

Cf. Leviticus 26:33-35; 2 Chronicles 36:21; Daniel 9:2 The 70 years may be reckoned to begin with the first deportation of Judah to Babylon. 2 Kings 24:10-15. B.C. 604 according to the Assyrian Eponym Canon, or B.C. 606 according to Ussher; or from the final deportation ; 2 Kings 25:1-30; 2 Chronicles 36:17-20; Jeremiah 39:8-10. B.C. 586 (Assyr. Ep. Canon), or B.C. 588 (Ussher). In the first case the 70 years extend to the decree of Cyrus for the return Ezra 1:1-3 B.C. (Assyr. Ep. Canon), or B.C. 536 (Ussher). In the second case the 70 years terminate B.C. 516 (Assyr.Ep. Canon) with the completion of the temple. The latter is more probable reckoning in the light of Daniel 9:25.

Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible

Verses 8-14 Here is the sentence grounded upon the foregoing charge: "Because you have not heard my words, I must take another course with you,’’ v. 8. Note, When men will not regard the judgments of God’s mouth they may expect to feel the judgments of his hands, to hear the rod, since they would not hear the word; for the sinner must either be parted from his sin or perish in it. Wrath comes without remedy against those only that sin without repentance. It is not so much men’s turning aside that ruins them as their not returning. I. The ruin of the land of Judah by the king of Babylon’s armies is here decreed, v. 9. God sent to them his servants the prophets, and they were not heeded, and therefore God will send for his servant the king of Babylon, whom they cannot mock, and despise, and persecute, as they did his servants the prophets. Note, The messengers of God’s wrath will be sent against those that would not receive the messengers of his mercy. One way or other God will be heeded, and will make men know that he is the Lord. Nebuchadrezzar, though a stranger to the true God, the God of Israel, nay, an enemy to him and afterwards a rival with him, was yet, in the descent he made upon his country. God’s servant, accomplished his purpose, was employed by him, and was an instrument in his hand for the correction of his people. He was really serving God’s designs when he thought he was serving his own ends. Justly therefore does God here call himself The Lord of hosts (v. 8), for here is an instance of his sovereign dominion, not only over the inhabitants, but over the armies of this earth, of which he makes what use he pleases. He has them all at his command. The most potent and absolute monarchs are his servants. Nebuchadrezzar, who is an instrument of his wrath, is as truly his servant as Cyrus, who is an instrument of his mercy. The land of Judah being to be made desolate, God here musters his army that is to make it so, gathers it together, takes all the families of the north, if there be occasion for them, leads them on as their commander-in-chief, brings them against this land, gives them success, not only against Judah and Jerusalem, but against all the nations round about, that there might be no dependence upon them as allies or assistants against that threatening force. The utter destruction of this and all the neighbouring lands is here described, v. 9–11. It shall be total: The whole land shall be a desolation, not only desolate, but a desolation itself; both city and country shall be laid waste, and all the wealth of both be made a prey of. It shall be lasting, even perpetual desolations; they shall continue so long in ruins, and after long waiting there shall appear so little prospect of relief, that every one shall call it perpetual. This desolation shall be the ruin of their credit among their neighbours; it shall bury their honour in the dust, shall make them an astonishment and a hissing; every one will be amazed at them, and hiss them off the stage of action with just disgrace for deserting a God who would have been their protection for impostors who would certainly be their destruction. It will likewise be the ruin of all their comfort among themselves; it shall be a final period of all their joy: I will take from them the voice of mirth, hang their harps on the willow-trees, and put them out of tune for songs. I will take from them the voice of mirth; they shall neither have cause for it nor hearts for it. They would not hear the voice of God’s word and therefore the voice of mirth shall no more be heard among them. They shall be deprived of food: The sound of the mill-stones shall not be heard; for, when the enemy has seized their stores, the sound of the grinding must needs be low, Eccl. 12:4. An end shall be put to all business; there shall not be seen the light of a candle, for there shall be no work to be done worth candle-light. And, lastly, they shall be deprived of their liberty: Those nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. The fixing of time during which the captivity should last would be of great use, not only for the confirmation of the prophecy, when the event (which in this particular could by no human sagacity be foreseen) should exactly answer the prediction, but for the comfort of the people of God in their calamity and the encouragement of faith and prayer. Daniel, who was himself a prophet, had an eye to it, Dan. 9:2. Nay, God himself had an eye to it (2 Chr. 36:22); for therefore he stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, that the word spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world, which appears by this, that, when he has thought fit, some of them have been made known to his servants the prophets and by them to his church. II. The ruin of Babylon, at last, is here likewise foretold, as it had been, long before, by Isaiah, v. 12–14. The destroyers must themselves be destroyed, and the rod thrown into the fire, when the correcting work is done with it. This shall be done when seventy years are accomplished; for the destruction of Babylon must make way for the deliverance of the captives. It is a great doubt when these seventy years commence; some date them from the captivity in the fourth year of Jehoiakim and first of Nebuchadrezzar, others from the captivity of Jehoiachin eight years after. I rather incline to the former, because then these nations began to serve the king of Babylon, and because usually God has taken the earliest time from which to reckon the accomplishment of a promise of mercy, as will appear in computing the 400 years’ servitude in Egypt. And, if so, eighteen or nineteen years of the seventy had run out before Jerusalem and the temple were quite destroyed in the eleventh year of Zedekiah. However that be, when the time, the set time, to favour Zion, has come, the king of Babylon must be visited, and all the instances of his tyranny reckoned for; then that nation shall be punished for their iniquity, as the other nations have been punished for theirs. That land must then be a perpetual desolation, such as they had made other lands; for the Judge of all the earth will both do right and avenge wrong, as King of nations and King of saints. Let proud conquerors and oppressors be moderate in the use of their power and success, for it will come at last to their own turn to suffer; their day will come to fall. In this destruction of Babylon, which was to be brought about by the Medes and Persians, reference shall be had, 1. To what God had said: I will bring upon that land all my words; for all the wealth and honour of Babylon shall be sacrificed to the truth of the divine predictions, and all its power broken, rather than one iota or tittle of God’s word shall fall to the ground. The same Jeremiah that prophesied the destruction of other nations by the Chaldeans foretold also the destruction of the Chaldeans themselves; and this must be brought upon them, v. 13. It is with reference to this very event that God says, I will confirm the word of my servant, and perform the counsel of my messengers, Isa. 44:26. 2. Two what they had done (v. 14): I will recompense them according to their deeds, by which they transgressed the law of God, even then when they were made to serve his purposes. They had made many nations to serve them, and trampled upon them with the greatest insolence imaginable; but not that the measure of their iniquity is full many nations and great kings, that are in alliance with and come in to the assistance of Cyrus king of Persia, shall serve themselves of them also, shall make themselves masters of their country, enrich themselves with their spoils, and make them the footstool by which to mount the throne of universal monarchy. They shall make use of them for servants and soldiers. He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity.

I don't see anything in here to support your position.

ackack

21

New employee from old KH

by ackack in

jw
friends

i da'ed myself around 2 months ago.

got away from my abusive marriage.

happy to do that.. i get a new job, one my ex doesn't know about (so she can't find me) and i'm happy.

ackack

Most of the people working here have various "toys" up all over their space. I think smurfs would be totally acceptable and prolly enjoyed quite a bit. I've got a huge pin at home about Smurfs Ice Capades, so I''ll have to bring that in.

Oh come on guys, smurfs is SOOO passé. Shouldn't I do harry potter or something? ;)

ackack