i saw a rumor a few weeks ago on reddit that the new imitate jesus convention is supposed to present new light and clarified understandings on the disfellowshipping/disassociation practices.. supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the convention about how we should not be strict like the pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the jw rules about this practice.. has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?.
Yeah, the thing is, the Governing Body has already given up the information control by fully embracing and recommending and promoting the Internet now.
In addition, they've pretty much eliminated another "leg" which was the sense of urgency and panic about having Armageddon coming immediately.
Their new publications are basically saying it could still be a long ways off from our perspective, but it won't be late in Jehovah's view.
i saw a rumor a few weeks ago on reddit that the new imitate jesus convention is supposed to present new light and clarified understandings on the disfellowshipping/disassociation practices.. supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the convention about how we should not be strict like the pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the jw rules about this practice.. has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?.
Menrov,
Thank you for posting that info!
But I still wonder about the talks entitled Follow Jesus, Not the Pharisees.
That would be the area where anything new on Disfellowshipping would be announced, most likely.
for decades, i remember the society, publications, and elders saying that once the great tribulation begins, it is too late to repent or be saved.
they said the "door of the ark will have been closed.".
now, however, look at the brand-new clarified understanding / new light on this from jw.org, below.. they are still saying that the majority of worldly people will not be saved, but they are now saying it is possible.. the simplified july study watchtower says this:.
For decades, I remember the Society, publications, and Elders saying that once the Great Tribulation begins, it is too late to repent or be saved. They said the "Door of the Ark will have been closed."
Now, however, look at the brand-new Clarified Understanding / New Light on this from JW.org, below.
They are still saying that the majority of worldly people will not be saved, but they are now saying it is possible.
The Simplified July Study Watchtower says this:
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/ws20150715/rapture-anointed-great-tribulation/
In a similar way in the future, when the attack against Babylon the Great is “cut short,” we cannot expect that many people will suddenly convert to true Christianity.
The non-Simplified July Study Watchtower says this:
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20150715/rapture-anointed-great-tribulation/
Should we conclude, though, that the destruction of the religions of Babylon the Great results in the death of all the former members of those religions? Apparently not. The prophet Zechariah was inspired to write about that time. Speaking of someone who was previously part of false religion, the account states: “He will say, ‘I am no prophet. I am a man cultivating the soil, because a man bought me when I was young.’ And if someone asks him, ‘What are these wounds between your shoulders?’ he will answer, ‘Wounds I received in the house of my friends.’” (Zech. 13:4-6) So, apparently, even some of the clergy will abandon their religious course and deny that they were ever part of those false religions.
[...] What will happen after the destruction of false religious organizations? It will be a time to reveal what is really in our heart. The majority of mankind will seek refuge in human organizations that are likened to “the rocks of the mountains.” (Rev. 6:15-17) Figuratively speaking, however, God’s people will flee to the refuge that Jehovah provides. In the first century, the interval was not a time for a mass conversion of Jews to Christianity. It was a time for action and obedience on the part of those who were already Christians. Similarly, we cannot expect that the future interruption in the great tribulation will result in an influx of new believers. Rather, it will be an opportunity for all true believers to prove their love for Jehovah and give their support to Christ’s brothers.
[...] Although we do not fully understand all that will happen during that time of test, we can expect that it will involve some measure of sacrifice.
i remember this making the rounds and people swearing by it.
knew someone at the concern and whatnot.
how does this crap come up?.
Yes, I was told this story many times growing up.
Other stories I was told:
* The angel appearing next to the woman going door-to-door, which spooked the murderer/rapist and prevented him from hurting her.
* 8-Balls and Ouija Boards causing demon-possession, levitation, and suicide.
* Demons possessing Africans and snapping their necks.
* Special Elders in New York who were exorcists, and could go around casting demons out.
* Batman's eyes in the 1989 movie showed signs of demon possession, and watching the Joker could lead to demonic activity in your home.
* Smurfs and Teletubbies and He-Man were demonic.
* Playing Pac-Man (because of the ghosts) could cause demonic activity in your home, or playing Super Mario because of the magic flying bricks.
i saw a rumor a few weeks ago on reddit that the new imitate jesus convention is supposed to present new light and clarified understandings on the disfellowshipping/disassociation practices.. supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the convention about how we should not be strict like the pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the jw rules about this practice.. has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?.
The Society may view it this way:
If the number one complaint and cause of apostasy to begin with is the shunning practices, why not remove more of the shunning practices, thus (in their minds) removing the main source that's causing people to be upset with the Society?
If they do stop the shunning of family members, why would "apostates" even try to get their family members to leave the Organization anymore, if it makes them happy?
After all, every church asks for money and has its own issues.
The blood issue would be the only major thing remaining that separates them from the other churches.
i saw a rumor a few weeks ago on reddit that the new imitate jesus convention is supposed to present new light and clarified understandings on the disfellowshipping/disassociation practices.. supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the convention about how we should not be strict like the pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the jw rules about this practice.. has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?.
I just looked at the Imitate Jesus Convention Program on JW.org, and on the Saturday of the Convention, there will be a Symposium entitled: "Follow Jesus, Not the Pharisees."
I can't wait to see what is said in that Symposium.
My thoughts are that they will loosen their shunning of those who "slip up" and commit sexual sins or smoke or gamble, etc. But not those who openly oppose the Governing Body.
i saw a rumor a few weeks ago on reddit that the new imitate jesus convention is supposed to present new light and clarified understandings on the disfellowshipping/disassociation practices.. supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the convention about how we should not be strict like the pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the jw rules about this practice.. has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?.
I saw a rumor a few weeks ago on Reddit that the new Imitate Jesus Convention is supposed to present New Light and Clarified Understandings on the Disfellowshipping/Disassociation practices.
Supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the Convention about how we should not be strict like the Pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the JW rules about this practice.
Has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?
as far as i can tell, the new light on the types and antitypes applies to everything except for prophecies.
the watchtower still views themselves as free to say any prophecies can have multiple fulfillments.. this is why the society still says the giant tree from daniel has multiple meanings and the faithful and discreet slave does too.
because they classify those things as "prophecy.
As far as I can tell, the New Light on the Types and Antitypes applies to everything EXCEPT for prophecies. The Watchtower still views themselves as free to say any prophecies can have multiple fulfillments.
This is why the Society still says the giant tree from Daniel has multiple meanings and the faithful and discreet slave does too. Because they classify those things as "prophecy."
Believe it or not, this is the same view / rule of Bible interpretation that the popular mainstream Christian book called "How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth" teaches.
i was raised a jehovah's witness, so i know all the "ins-and-outs" of their theology and belief system..
in my view, they can become a part of mainstream christianity and lose their cult status by making just a few changes for the better:.
1: stop their severe shunning practices.
I was raised a Jehovah's Witness, so I know all the "ins-and-outs" of their theology and belief system.
In my view, they can become a part of Mainstream Christianity and lose their cult status by making just a few changes for the better:
1: Stop their severe shunning practices. It's okay to avoid association with people you dislike or whom you believe are not a good influence on you. It's even okay for church elders to rebuke or even excommunicate someone for gross, flagrant sin. But don't try to cut off communication among family members, and don't disfellowship someone just for disagreeing with the way you interpret the Bible.
2: Stop excommunicating, punishing, or shaming members of their organization who choose to have a life-saving blood transfusion. It's okay to point out that you believe the Bible says to abstain from blood, (Acts 15) but you should allow each Christian to make a personal decision based on their conscience, not make it a mandatory law.
3: Stop saying that Christians will be destroyed by God if they don't join their organization. Acknowledge that Jesus can save people anywhere, as long as they put faith in Him, His sacrifice, resurrection, and His Father.
4: Stop saying that Christians must preach the Gospel to others in order to be saved. Romans 4 disagrees with this view.
5: Stop saying that Christians must attend meetings to be saved. Nowhere does the Bible say this.
If the Jehovah's Witnesses change just these 5 things, they can be considered a Mainstream Christian Religion, and no longer be a cult.
All their other beliefs can be reasonably obtained from the Bible, depending on your interpretation. In the last 10 years, they have abandoned most of their far-out prophecy interpretations and their interpretation of types/antitypes.
Other Unorthodox Views of Jehovah's Witnesses
The Trinity is false.
Jesus was the first creature made by God.
Jesus is Michael the Archangel.
Jesus returned invisibly in 1914 to become King.
The Holy Spirit is not a person, but is God's active force or energy.
Only 144,000 Christians in all of history will end up going to Heaven.
All other Christians who are saved will live on a Paradise Earth forever.
The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is similar to the 12 Apostles, and they are the sole channel of communication between Jesus and Christians today, to help them interpret the Bible.
the new august study watchtower just posted on jw.org is all about how long it may be until the end.
whole article on that topic..
but it never once mentions the overlapping generation..
The new August Study Watchtower just posted on JW.org is all about how long it may be until the End. Whole article on that topic.
But it never once mentions the Overlapping Generation.
Are they moving away from that teaching?
I noticed also that the 2015-print Insight Book just vaguely says the Generation has some connection to the signs of the last days.
Here is the quote from the Insight Book:
In this instance, Jesus was answering a question regarding the desolation of Jerusalem and its temple as well as regarding the sign of his presence and of the conclusion of the system of things. So his comment about “this generation” logically had an application down to 70 C.E. However, he was also using the word “generation” with reference to humans whose lives would in some way be associated with the foretold events during his presence.—Mt 24.
