Doug Mason

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Posts by Doug Mason

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  78

  Watchtower 2007 3/15 -- Is 1914 dropped?

  by observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  watchtower 2007 3/15 is very unusual.

  it is titled (when freely translated) "how coming of the christ affects you?".

  in the first article there is not speaking about 1914 or invisible presence.

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  Doug Mason

  Yes, I wrote that book about the WTS's use of "Jehovah" in their translation of the Greek Scriptures (NT). If you want a copy, just go to my web site http://au.geocities.com/doug_mason1940/New_World_Translation.html Scroll down the page until you see the download for "Witnessing the Name". You might find other things on my site that is of use or interest. There is no cost and you may disctribute my material, provided nothing is charged and nothing is altered. If you need to, you will find my email address on any of the downloaded documents on the site. Doug
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  18

  Why Matthew 24 can NEVER be fulfilled.....

  by kid-A in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  lets see.

  by watchtower theology, millions if not billions of dead people will be resurrected in jehoobie's funland...... assuming 6 million dubs survive the fiery wrath of lord jehoobie, they will represent a tiny minority in the new world order!.

  according to the borg, all of these newly risen dead will require a "witness", meaning, the kingdom ministry will by necessity be in full swing,.

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  Doug Mason

  With a compound increase, the doubling of the principle follows the “Rule of 72”. Therefore a 3 percent increase doubles the original principle every 24 years (3 times 24 equals 72). This means that after 24 years, the number has doubled to 6 million. It also means that after the following 24 years, the number has doubled to 12 million. After a further 24 years, it doubles again to 24 million. It is not a straight-line increase. Therefore (using a simple Excel spreadsheet), during the 24 years from years 288 to 312, the increase is from 12 billion to 24 billion. This is a rate of 1.4 million people resurrected each day, every day. This assumes a figure of three-percent, which is probably the “best-fit” figure the WTS could come up with, to fit in with their erroneous doctrine. They forgot to add the initial 100 years training to the resurrection period. But why would it be so difficult to “train” the resurrected one’s concerning God’s Gospel? According to Paul in his letter to the Romans, the Gospel is simple. God offers salvation as a free gift, just for the asking. It cannot be earned or worked for. The question posed is: do you accept the free offer? Why should the Gospel be any different during the 1000 years? Who could refuse? How long does it take to answer that question? The Gospel is wonderfully simple and simply wonderful. Doug
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  78

  Watchtower 2007 3/15 -- Is 1914 dropped?

  by observer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  watchtower 2007 3/15 is very unusual.

  it is titled (when freely translated) "how coming of the christ affects you?".

  in the first article there is not speaking about 1914 or invisible presence.

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  Doug Mason

  In 1902, some 18 years after the parousia of 1874, C T Russell wrote in his article titled THE PAROUSIA OF OUR LORD JESUS AND HIS SUBSEQUENT APOKALUPSIS AND EPIPHANIA --AT HIS SECOND ADVENT: "The Scriptures clearly indicate that after the Lord has done certain things during his presence (parousia), … he will later make a manifestation of his presence;--a manifestation which will be discerned by all mankind: and this outward manifestation is designated his “epiphania” which signifies “shining forth” or “bright shining.” The Watchers [Russell’s adherents] keep separate these two thoughts (presence and manifestation) respecting the Lord’s second coming. (Zion’s Watchtower, March 1902 [R2972 : page 85]). Also, when interpreting the WTS's explanation of Matt 24, remember that everything Jesus prophesied in the Olivet Discourse is said by the WTS to have been fulfilled within the time of the generation that heard it. The so-called fulfillment in "our time" is a secondary fulfillment. The exercise then, is to find the parallels between the first fulfillment by 70 CE with the assumed fulfillment in "our time". Especially Jesus' statement regarding "this generation". Also, the fact that Jesus warned his listeners to ignore the deceivers who were even then giving out warnings that wars, earthquakes and famines were a sign. Doug
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  28

  What other ancient Greek Manuscripts contained the divine name?

  by yaddayadda in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  the society in appendix 1a of their 'kingdom interlinear translation of the christian greek scriptures' refers to nine other greek manuscripts as containing the divine name, and they quote from jerome as referring to certain 'greek volumes' containing the tetragrammaton.

  can anyone shed any light on what these greek manuscripts and volumes are and their dates of writing?

  here is what the society says in full: .

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  Doug Mason

  To decide if the source being quoted by the NT writer may have contained the Hebrew Tetragram, you would have to know if the Hebrew scripture being quoted was from the MT or the LXX. The WTS puts "Jehovah" at allusions, etc., not just at direct quotations, sometimes placing the Name in the mouths of people. It does appear that the Christians developed their own set of sacred abbreviations, named Nomina Sacra, which owes nothing to the use of the Tetragram. Why did the WTS not use the Hebrew letters for YHWH in its NT text? It would appear as incongruous in an English work as the Hebrew letters would appear in a Greek work. No wonder the Greeks thought the word was "pipi" -- because they didn't know what the Hebrew letters meant. Why did the WTS omit certain NT references that by their rules should have had the Tetragram? Probably the best that the WTS could have claimed as an authority was their reference J20. Doug Melbourne
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  175

  The facts on crucifixion, stauros, and the "torture stake"

  by Leolaia in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  finally, i will look at biblical and patristic evidence bearing on the crucifixion of jesus in particular.

  we need to examine the earliest known descriptions of the kind of crucifixion adopted by the romans and the specific terms they used to refer to it.

  apparently the society believes that crux still meant "stake" in the second century a.d., when tacitus composed his annals.

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  Doug Mason

  The Intro to the 1950 release of the NWT Greek Scriptures has a picture or two from a (17th century or thereabouts) book by Justus Lipsius. The picture depicts a victim dying on a simple stake. It's a very old book and there are few copies around. Fortunately for me, the State Library in Melbourne has a copy. Maybe one day someone will be keen enough to scan them on to the www for all to see. (I do have a photocopy of all the relevant pages.) The WTS said that Jesus died in the manner depicted in the picture they showed from Lipsius' book. However, they failed to say that Lipsius illustrates many ways to be killed on a stake/cross (St Andrews, upside down, etc. etc.). Also, they failed to tell that Lipsius concluded Jesus died on a cross as conventionally depicted. Doug
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  16

  When did WT start teaching all wicked would be destroyed at Armageddon?

  by cabasilas in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  russell did not teach that all the wicked would be destroyed at armageddon.

  neither did rutherford, initially.

  that is why he preached that millions then living would never die.

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  Doug Mason

  TD, I am very impressed with your knowledge of Watch Twoer history. Do you have a similar expose on the origins and development of the 144,000? Doug
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  4

  Blood is symbolic?

  by JWdaughter in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  http://www.watchtower.org/library/hb/article_01.htm.

  "all humanity was thus notified that in the creator's view, blood stands for life.

  this was more than a dietary regulation.

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  Doug Mason

  Dear sf, Thank you for explaining to people about my site, http://au.geocities.com/doug_mason1940. (The "1940" is for the year of my birth.) I am impressed with your computing skills. Well done. I believe God provides salvation as a free gift to anyone who asks (read the letter to the Romans by Paul). This wonderful Gospel is hijacked by those who wish to lord it over others, who place roadblocks such as "doctrinal purity" and "eschatalogical accuracy" in the way of the genuine seeker (read Pilgrim's Progress by Bunyan). Since I do not believe God requires denominational membership as a condition for salvation to be provided, it is possible for God to provide this free gift whether one is a JW or not. That is irrelevant. My beef is with religious authorities such as the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses who stand in the way of people obtaining the merits of Jesus' life, death and resurrection on their behalf. Jesus has satisfied every requirement, and is available simply by asking. The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses uses "tests" such as with the medical use of blood to ensure people are obedient to their every demand. Their doctrine of "shunning" is a key reason people refuse blood as a medical treatment. This authoritarian Governing Body keeps to themselves the free salvation that is available to anyone who asks. Regards, Doug
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  4

  Blood is symbolic?

  by JWdaughter in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  http://www.watchtower.org/library/hb/article_01.htm.

  "all humanity was thus notified that in the creator's view, blood stands for life.

  this was more than a dietary regulation.

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  Doug Mason

  Dear sf
• 
  4

  Blood is symbolic?

  by JWdaughter in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  http://www.watchtower.org/library/hb/article_01.htm.

  "all humanity was thus notified that in the creator's view, blood stands for life.

  this was more than a dietary regulation.

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  Doug Mason

  Throughout Scripture, the word "blood" overwhelmingly and consistently represents DEATH, and usually a violent one. It never means life. When blood is presented at the altar, it shows the offered beast is dead. When Noah was allowed to eat meat, the absence of blood showed the animal was dead. This was done to prevent the cruel procedure of cutting a piece of flesh from a living animal and eating it while it was still quivering and dripping with blood. When blood (or any part of it) is presented for a medical procedure, it does not represent the death of the donor. It is a gift offering life. Go to http://au.geocities.com/doug_mason1940/blood.html. Scroll down the page to download the Paper by Stibbs and also a chapter from a book by Leon Morris.
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  23

  Medical professionals

  by Cindyrenee in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  looking for information from society that states a nurse, etc., is bound by scripture to turn in members who break jehovah's laws.

  thanks a bunch.

  cindy

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  Doug Mason

  I recently prepared a Paper designed to aid medical and medical professionals manage JW patients. It includes a discussion on patient confidentiality. The Paper is designed to assist people who have the responsibility for preparing procedures, practices, and laws. My Paper is available at no cost from my web site as a PDF file. Go to http://au.geocities.com/doug_mason1940/blood.html Scroll down the page until you find the download, which is called "Loyalty Test". Should you find it useful, please feel free to provide it to those responsible for formulating laws and procedures related to JW patients. You will find my email address on the downloaded file. I appreciate constructive and useful comments.