i went on my tablet today and clicked "yes" that i attended the convention (they probably tracked my ip and two elders will show up on my door step).
i scanned through the new brochure on bringing those who have left back.
i noticed that not once they mentioned anyone who was df!
One more thing I noticed that is very different:
They make a big point of saying that ANYONE who starts going back to the Congregation will be "warmly welcomed" by the people in the Congregation.
It didn't say anything about "except for those who are Disfellowshipped," or any kind of footnote or exclusions at all.
i went on my tablet today and clicked "yes" that i attended the convention (they probably tracked my ip and two elders will show up on my door step).
i scanned through the new brochure on bringing those who have left back.
i noticed that not once they mentioned anyone who was df!
I did think it was interesting that they put more of a focus on confessing to Jehovah and getting right with Him than talking to the Elders.
Also, they very much made it sound like absolutely no disciplinary action would be taken against any repentant sinner who returns, no matter the sin.
hello, i am certainly new to all of this.
i have recently been studying the prophecy's, and i was wondering if they are of any importance at all?
hello, i am certainly new to all of this.
i have recently been studying the prophecy's, and i was wondering if they are of any importance at all?
hello, i am certainly new to all of this.
i have recently been studying the prophecy's, and i was wondering if they are of any importance at all?
Cofty,
Have you researched the original reason why the "Two-Isaiah" theory originated?
It was because the skeptic could not believe that a detailed prophecy was written in advance.
hello, i am certainly new to all of this.
i have recently been studying the prophecy's, and i was wondering if they are of any importance at all?
Ruby456,
Great point.
Yes, we can clearly see in the Gospel of Luke (and also Matthew) that the people had interpreted Daniel to be saying that the Messiah should be arriving around 33 A.D.
Luke 3:15: "Now the people were in expectation and all of them were reasoning in their hearts about John, 'May he perhaps be the Christ?'"
Matthew 24:15: “Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment."
Luke 19:42-44: saying: “If you, even you, had discerned on this day the things having to do with peace—but now they have been hidden from your eyes. Because the days will come upon you when your enemies will build around you a fortification of pointed stakes and will encircle you and besiege you from every side. They will dash you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave a stone upon a stone in you, because you did not discern the time of your being inspected.”
hello, i am certainly new to all of this.
i have recently been studying the prophecy's, and i was wondering if they are of any importance at all?
Isaiah, if it was written by one author, predicted Cyrus by name over a century in advance, giving precise details of what he would do.
That's why I brought it up.
hello, i am certainly new to all of this.
i have recently been studying the prophecy's, and i was wondering if they are of any importance at all?
Viviane,
Well, another issue, is that skeptics will always attempt to date the writing of a book *after* the prophecy is fulfilled.
That's why the "Two Isaiahs" and "Three Isaiah" and "Four Isaiahs" theories exist.
Heck, I've even seen a "seven Isaiahs" theory trying to avoid the idea it was written by the prophet Isaiah.
hello, i am certainly new to all of this.
i have recently been studying the prophecy's, and i was wondering if they are of any importance at all?
Cofty,
I respectfully disagree. There is one in particular that even the most skeptical scholars on earth admit was written at least 160 years before Jesus' birth:
Daniel 9:24-26.
Even Jewish, non-Christian scholars have said that the 69 "sevens" means 69 multiplied by 7 years.
That takes us directly to the year 33 A.D. when Jesus died as Messiah.
i realize many people on here are very angry at the watchtower society and/or governing body for various reasons, many of which are likely justified, at least to some extent.
i also can totally understand the cynicism and pessimism i see from certain ones regarding the leaders of the society.. i think one thing that's often forgotten or overlooked, however, is the fact that members of the governing body who've been "in the truth" for 30, 40, 50, 60 years, probably truly believe in this organization.
in my opinion, it's more likely that they believe what they teach instead of being liars who are intentionally deceiving everyone.
The Governing Body really doesn't need the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" parable or a literal 144,000. I foresee them clarifying/discarding both of these soon.
Instead of using the Faithful Slave parable, they'll simply use the First-Century Jerusalem "Governing Body" of Peter, James, Apostles, and Elders as their example, justifying their authority.
After all, all other churches have authority structures without needing special parables justifying their existence.
I can see them shifting and saying the 144,000 may be literal or may be symbolic-- just follow your spirit/heart on whether to partake.
This would explain and justify why there are so many younger Anointed or a younger Governing Body.
It also might draw a larger number of people to have Bible Studies if they bring back the Heavenly Hope to a large number of new believers.
