OnTheWayOut

Joined

• started 589 topics
• posted 21,823 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by OnTheWayOut

• 
  42

  LEAKED ANNUAL MEETING VIDEO :EXPECT SUDDEN CHANGES: JEFFREY JACKSON

  by raymond frantz in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  https://youtu.be/uxqqyrrffow?si=wo0jotyvjg76oljk.

  well that's sort of related to the next talk on our program brother jeffrey jackson will discuss the theme don't be surprised by sudden changes, brother jeff you have our.

  attention well i'm sure we all agree with this fact in recent years there have been a lot of changes even since the last annual meeting there have been many changes some of them perhaps are a little surprising or may seem to be sudden but you know brothers and sisters when we look back on how these changes have come we can see that jehovah has gradually prepared us for each of these adjustments and changes let's review some of the recent changes we've had what changes have we seen with regard to our understand understanding of bible teachings at the 2021 annual meeting we received an adjusted understanding of john 529 it was explained that the resurrection of judgment will not be a judgment of condemnation rather it will be more like a period of probation the unrighteous mentioned at acts 24:15 will have an opportunity to gain everlasting life but their names will not be written wr in the book of life at the time of their resurrection to have their names eventually written in that book these ones will need to respond positively to the great educational work that will take place during the thousand-year reign then at the annual meeting in 2023 we gained enhanced insight into what we do know and what we don't know concerning jehovah's judgments we learned that the door of opportunity for people to take a stand for the kingdom does not shut when the great tribulation starts with the destruction of false religion at that time perhaps some will be like the egyptians in moses day who took a last minute stand and joined the exodus of god's people at the same annual meeting we adjusted our views with regard to jehovah's judgments of those who died in the flood and those who were destroyed in sodom and gomorrah also at that annual meeting an adjustment was made regarding the reporting of our time and activity in our preaching work instead of focusing on reports we try to make good use of every opportunity to witness then we receive the 2024 governing body update number two in that update we saw the need to adjust how we interact with those who have committed serious sins and have been removed from the congregation what other major adjustments have we recently seen in our preaching work the emphasis now is on studing bible studies and making disciples not on distributing literature to that end the focus is on studying meaningful conversations not just on using memorized presentations were you surprised by these adjustments perhaps so but as we look back we see how one adjustment in understanding gradually helped us with the next adjustment isn't it true that gradually jehovah has prepared us and when we look back on it we see how logical this training has been to refine our understanding but events in the world likewise have changed it's true sometimes in the world you have sudden changes for example the pandemic but often times change in the world is gradual isn't it true with regard to the view of morality homosexuality abortion even what's acceptable and not acceptable with regard to conduct all of that has happened gradually in the world and it's not until you look back and see how different the world is today with regard to those matters that we see that there have been a lot of changes but this can be dangerous because as things gradually change we may get used to gradual change and forget that there are some sudden changes about to occur uh let's take our bibles please and if you turn with me to the book of luke chap 21 now this is an example of sudden change in luke chap 21 uh notice there in verse 34 the words of our lord jesus are recorded and he said in verse 34 but pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with oving and heavy drinking and anxieties of life and suddenly suddenly that they be instantly instantly upon you it's interesting to note that jesus had already said that this day he was referring to would occur at a time that we don't think is likely so what lesson do we learn from what jesus said it's a warning isn't it that we can't just sit back and think well things are gradually going to develop we know which way it's going and maybe it's not going to happen yet you know got a little bit more wiggle room there with regard to the schedule but you see that's dangerous thinking now what we're going to do is consider two examples of areas where perhaps we could be a little guilty with regard to that for example our view as with regard to the number of anointed ones remaining on the earth now for many years what did we think we thought well that number would go down and down and down and down now i don't know about you but me i you when that report came out just how many how many partakers and and what were we thinking we probably you maybe we didn't say it but we were thinking you know the number will go down down down down and there'll be just a couple of old guys in a wheelchair who will get their reward well i'm exaggerating but that was sort of the feeling wasn't it but now what have we seen in recent years those numbers have gone up and up and not only that younger brothers have been appointed on the governing body now i know what you're all thinking two new ones how old are they we know you're not googling now but you will be but you see we need to be careful about what we're thinking with regard to the number of anointed ones left on earth you see 19 years ago i was appointed on the governing body even i thought i was too young now they tell me i'm not so young anymore but do we see the point what does the bible actually tell us with regard to this well it doesn't say the number would just dwindle down to just having a few uh older ones left no the great crowd of other sheep will be judged on the basis of how they deal with

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  I can't bring myself to watch the video nor read the long post about what was said.
  It's just that the more it changes, the more it stays the same. "The U.N. blah blah blah. The anointed blah blah blah." Since it's all made up, it's easy to change.
  
  I will just wait on other people to say what individual changes have been announced.
  Or maybe some who are still needing to list changes will just list them here.
• 
  39

  THE PROBLEM WITH THESE 2 NEW GB MEMBERS APPOINTMENTS

  by raymond frantz in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  https://youtu.be/rjr0ugtu6zu?si=d3zsz20ee33gytxi.

  these new appointments are troubling, to say the least, especially considering the factors surrounding their selection.

  these appointments raise key concerns about leadership, experience, and what is happening behind the scenes at the organization's headquarters.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Some loved the ZOOM meetings and still linger there now that COVID is over.
  I can see a GB member help them sell off the Kingdom Halls while they build whole new Assembly Hall communities, complete with hotels and ice cream parlors and coffee shops that they rent out or even own.
  
  And I remember quite a few years ago about them bragging about some new assembly hall in Orangeburg, SC or some such place where the extremely "level" floor got awards for being so level. Who would want a level floor? A proper stage with a sloping floor would be best, and is the current most popular hall- best for seeing the stage.
  But I think such places are built to be converted into warehouses in the near future. I can see WT building all new assembly halls, telling the members to ZOOM regular meetings until it's time to bring your money to the assembly hall every couple of months (no need for that valuable land where your Kingdom Hall was), then sell the assembly hall when they get a bunch of volunteers to build another one nearby because the old one was worn out. Meanwhile, the old place was sold for a profit off the free labor of JW's, to become a trucking warehouse or a rock concert hall.
  
  You need a real estate expert to figure that all out.
• 
  62

  Ten reasons Jehovah’s Witnesses have the true religion (plus a bonus one)

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  thinking back when i was a true believer these are probably the top ten reasons why i believed jws are the true religion.

  1. they show love among themselves by not going to war.

  not killing your fellow believers in any circumstances, including war, would seem to be a very basic requirement for true christianity.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  1. They show love among themselves by not going to war. Not killing your fellow believers in any circumstances, including war, would seem to be a very basic requirement for true Christianity.
  
  But then what about the Mennonites, the Amish, and Quakers? What about so many Buddhists? JW's do not corner the market on pacifist believers in a god.

  2. They honour Jehovah’s name by using it and giving it prominence. Again this would seem to be a very basic requirement for Christians who are said to be called out of the nations as “a people for his name”.
  
  So many arguments here. Let's just go with disagreements on God's name. You would think God would clear that up.
  
  3. They reject the post biblical teaching of the Trinity which uses language that is not found in the Bible and distances people from God by making him appear incomprehensible.
  4. They teach the truth about who Jesus is as God’s firstborn and his loyal servant.
  
  I guess if you insist on the Bible being from God, so many teachings are from Man. Again, you would think God would clear that up.

  5. They point to God’s kingdom as the only hope for mankind as Jesus and the early Christian’s did and don’t get involved in politics or social or protest movements.
  
  That seems a bit overreaching for a religion to declare that is what God taught. It takes a whole lot of explaining to convince JW students that the Bible says that.

  6. They preach and publish in more languages than any other group in history, fulfilling the Bible prophecy about preaching to all the earth in the last days.
  
  I dunno about "preach" so the comment adds "publish." Catholicism is taught worldwide. Christianity has spread throughout the world through mostly Catholic missionary work. I know about "rice Christians" but facts are facts and spin is spin.

  7. Their founder Russell rediscovered basic Bible truths at a time when technology was in place to facilitate the preaching work worldwide.
  
  Total nonsequitur to this discussion. But I will say, if someone took advantage of the internet properly 20 years ago, they could make such a claim.

  8. Jehovah’s Witnesses have increased from a tiny number in one country to be a great crowd of worshippers from all nations of the world.
  
  And what of their decrease now? Can't have one fact and ignore the other.

  9. Each of the JW leaders has been just what was needed at the time for Jehovah to accomplish his purpose.

  No. What about the ones removed?

  10. Witness teaching about humans looking forward to endless life on earth makes better sense as our biblical destiny rather than viewing this life a waiting room before we go to heaven.
  
  Neither. My opinion. This life is what we have, so do good with NOW. Stop living for a fantasy of a future. Love family, don't shun them. Be good to each other.

  11. Witness teaching that God’s sovereignty has been challenged and will be vindicated makes sense of human history, gives an explanation for suffering, and offers the hope that it will end permanently in the future under God’s kingdom.

  It only gives a heavily opinionated explanation. But similarly to the last answer I gave, it's a fantasy of a future. Work on helping the suffering now.
• 
  73

  JWN, 23 years posting Blondie

  by blondie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  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.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  I certainly don't have 23 years here. I was active here for many years, but many years ago.
  I don't mind the crazy differences in paths that we all take, but I wish people would not bully the ones who take very different paths. JWN became too political when I left. I don't mean it has it's own politics. It does, but one can avoid threads or comments that are more scriptural or less scriptural, more opinion than fact. But JWN became a bullying place for actual politics, particularly American politics.
  
  I see that it's mostly back to JW stuff now, so that's good. If a poster wants to post a bunch of scholarly Bible stuff, I can skip past it or make a comment about it. I feel that actively walking up to JW's or zinging JW's at your door is done more for your benefit than for that of the JW on the receiving end. So JWN can be more for our own benefit that that of the readers when we post our strong scriptures, feelings, political leanings. Hey, some of you all really need to post your stuff because nobody in your life away from the keyboard would listen, so go for it.
  
  But, yeah- it's hard on newbies to navigate this place full of such differences. I do like Blondie's thought that "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."
  
  It would be great if we could mainly do that. Again, it does seem that it has returned some (IMO).
• 
  39

  THE PROBLEM WITH THESE 2 NEW GB MEMBERS APPOINTMENTS

  by raymond frantz in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  https://youtu.be/rjr0ugtu6zu?si=d3zsz20ee33gytxi.

  these new appointments are troubling, to say the least, especially considering the factors surrounding their selection.

  these appointments raise key concerns about leadership, experience, and what is happening behind the scenes at the organization's headquarters.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  WT is going into their Scientology phase. They are property rich and low on membership drives. They are anticipating the loss of the older JW's and nobody replacing them, so they just don't care about the members and will now focus on how they can cash in on their property holdings. Jody Jedele is going to take them places they want to go.
  
  What does anyone say about Jacob Rumph? It looks like he is a Gilead graduate who was slid in there to distract from Jody....or he's expected to do all the travel work of speaking.
• 
  35

  Serious sinner?

  by Gorb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  with the statement in the study watchtower this sunday, that stop serving jehovah is a serious sin, the following:.

  - can i conclude now, that we, (i, wife and 2 children), since 2008 pomo and no longer active in any religious activity, are serious sinners for jehovahs witnesses?.

  writing this in a watchtower, a statement like that, could have big implications.. it makes me so sad.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Sin is a made-up concept by religion. The general understanding is that sin is going against something that a good God has determined or is "His Will." Religion gave this term to people so that they could make them feel guilty and then they could appease their guilt by donating money to the religion (or time or the best of your flock).
  
  Forget about what any religion, especially Watchtower, says about sin.
  
  There are laws and morals that can guide us.
• 
  164

  How did JWs arrive at a clearer understanding of what the Bible teaches than other Christian denominations?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  for 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:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Faulty premise in your OP question. The Watchtower is a satanic cess-pool of lies that robs people of the destiny that was bought for them on the cross.

  
  I concur with the very first response on this thread.
  They did not "arrive at a clearer understanding" of anything.
  
  
  

  
  
• 
  31

  What made you look behind the jw curtain?

  by Touchofgrey in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was listening to a lunchtime call in radio show about jws and the personal experiences of being disfellowshiped, and a former elder called in saying he was disfellowshiped for asking about jws and their involvement in the un in the 1990s ,and he just said look it up.. thinking that it was a made up lie ,so i looked it up and it was true even a letter confirming it from the un itself and that led me here and to jwfacts and further research into the history and teachings of jw and walked out the door about 5 years ago.

  .

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  I was "all the way in." While I attended meetings as a child with my mother, I left before I was a teen and returned in my early 20's due to allowing my life path to take some terrible bumpy roads.
  
  I was a brand new elder in 1995 when the GB announced that the meaning of THIS GENERATION changed. This was not the overlapping generation but a change prior to that. They left the generation as vague and undefined.
  
  I had trouble with GENERATION and had already been bothered by what they said about 1975, so I researched these for years using only WT material. I was not satisfied, and then they added in some rulings on how an elder could be forgiven for admitting to viewing pornography, while I knew the average publisher would have to face a committee and some form of discipline. The cherry on top of my Sundae was when they used Hurricane Katrina as a way to make money by asking for just money donations, and not to earmark them for the disaster. I had worked with two other hurricane relief efforts where good people did good things for each other and now Watchtower had to butt in there and control it, telling people not to donate cars, clothes, goods.
  
  I turned to the internet, knowing I was strong enough to face whatever Satan threw at me. My decision that I was in a dangerous cult took place almost immediately upon learning so much about Ray Franz, the United Nations, flip-flopping.
• 
  30

  Experiences After Leaving

  by Freeatlast2024 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i am writing to ask if anyone cares to share their experience and/or offer advice for people leaving.

  i was raised in the religion, and both my parents died when i was very young.

  i recently stopped associating because my conscience no longer allows me to preach or support the organization.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Two things

  1. Find other ex-JW's to connect with, as they understand without explanation.
  
  2. Work to develop friendships either through your occupation or hobbies or through racquetball at the gym or whatever you want to do. Don't feel it is necessary to have them understand what you went through.
  
  
• 
  25

  "Brother Jodie jenelle began his bethel service in in 1990....."

  by nowwhat? in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  but what they don't say he left started and ran a real estate company and a global real estate consulting firm and apparently after making a fortune come back to bethel a few years ago.

  how in the hell could a non lifer now be anointed and appointed to be a gb member.

  sure can't be for his spiritual qualifications!.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  I have really been away from my day-to-day checking on JW things. But I still have a wife and mother in the cult, so I still keep occasional tabs on it. I love the way JW THOUGHTS presents his information, not so over-the-top, so it is one place I go. This video intrigued me:
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xza_PCyHYPk
  
  Listen to the first 6 minutes and if it gets your attention, then listen to the rest. While I won't go as far as the presenter's conclusions, I do see that they are actually more interested in what Jodie was doing away from Bethel than they are interested in what he has done "spiritually."