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.
FayeDunaway,
I wouldn't see any problem with the Governing Body 2.0 continuing to point out major flaws in other religious groups, as long as it's not something hypocritical, where the Organization does the same flaw.
Also, they should never say members of other religions are going to perish because only Jesus is the Judge of the sheep and goats.
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.
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. I think we would've seen many different-looking things happen if the Society is simply lying and trying to make themselves look good.
They would've totally abandoned the Blood Doctrine and 1914 before now if they didn't believe in it.
I also want to give points and credit to this new "Governing Body 2.0" for publicly and repeatedly admitting that hundreds of the older doctrines taught by the former Governing Bodies were likely wrong or going beyond what is written in the Bible.
They also deserve credit for telling people to focus more on Jesus and the main points of His parables instead of getting lost worrying about details. I also like that they tell Witnesses that pretty much anything written before 2000 may be incorrect.
Perhaps the biggest change has been the fact that this GB has fully embraced and promoted the Internet and technology.
So here are my Suggestions to this Governing Body 2.0: (everyone, add your own suggestions!)
Ways that I see the Governing Body can update their interpretation of"This Generation:"
have you noticed the article entitled "watch your associations in these last days" in the new august 2015 study watchtower?.
unless i'm reading it wrong, or somehow misinterpreting it, it is saying that we should be kind to intentional breakers of god's laws inside and outside the congregation, including fornicators, but that we must not be close associates with them.. are they already preparing for a shift in their disfellowshipping practices?.
here are the relevant paragraphs:.
what changes and new light have you found so far in the new 2015 insight book?.
here's a short list so far of the articles i noticed which have been changed:.
* generation.
what changes and new light have you found so far in the new 2015 insight book?.
here's a short list so far of the articles i noticed which have been changed:.
* generation.
What changes and New Light have you found so far in the New 2015 Insight Book?
Here's a short list so far of the articles I noticed which have been changed:
* Generation
* Gog
* Illustrations/Parables
if you don't already know this; the latest revision of the insight book has no mention of the "overlapping generation" bs online library, insight book .
obviously that change will not bee seen by the vast majority of people, so when will this "brighter light" shine through in a wt or assembly talk?
predictions?.
Cofty,
I first noticed the 2015 Print Insight Book about 4-5 weeks ago when I downloaded an update to my iPhone JW App.
A curious fact is that the Copyright says "June 2015," but I'm assuming that will be because they are planning to release it at the Conventions around June.
if you don't already know this; the latest revision of the insight book has no mention of the "overlapping generation" bs online library, insight book .
obviously that change will not bee seen by the vast majority of people, so when will this "brighter light" shine through in a wt or assembly talk?
predictions?.
Ways that I see the Governing Body can update their interpretation of "This Generation:"
have you noticed the article entitled "watch your associations in these last days" in the new august 2015 study watchtower?.
unless i'm reading it wrong, or somehow misinterpreting it, it is saying that we should be kind to intentional breakers of god's laws inside and outside the congregation, including fornicators, but that we must not be close associates with them.. are they already preparing for a shift in their disfellowshipping practices?.
here are the relevant paragraphs:.
Have you noticed the article entitled "Watch Your Associations In These Last Days" in the new August 2015 Study Watchtower?
Unless I'm reading it wrong, or somehow misinterpreting it, it is saying that we should be kind to intentional breakers of God's Laws inside and outside the Congregation, including fornicators, but that we must not be close associates with them.
Are they already preparing for a shift in their Disfellowshipping practices?
Here are the relevant paragraphs:
5 To avoid spoiling our useful habits, we must not have as close associates those who practice bad things. This applies not only to associating with unbelieving wrongdoers but also to associating with those who claim to worship Jehovah but who deliberately violate his laws. If such professing Christians engage in serious wrongdoing and do not repent, we do not continue to associate with them.—Rom. 16:17, 18.
6 If we were to associate with those who do not obey God’s laws, we might have the tendency to do what they do in order to be accepted by them. For example, if we were to have close association with sexually immoral people, we might be tempted to practice immorality. That has happened to some dedicated Christians, and some of them were disfellowshipped because they were not repentant. (1 Cor. 5:11-13) Unless they repent, their condition can become like that described by Peter.—Read 2 Peter 2:20-22.
7 Although we want to be kind even to those who do not follow God’s laws, we should not become their intimate associates or close friends.
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:.
I just wanted to share another Watchtower quote from last year showing the "Old Light" on this topic:
This quote shows the Old Light that the "Window of Opportunity" to be saved is closed at the outbreak of the Great Tribulation:
**Watchtower, December 15, 2014:**
12 Does this mean that those who have left the truth will never be allowed to return to the congregation? Or if someone fails to dedicate his life to Jehovah, will he be forever classified as someone “unsuitable”? No. There is still a window of opportunity for such ones before the outbreak of the great tribulation. It is as if Jehovah calls out to them: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” (Mal. 3:7) This fact is emphasized by another illustration given by Jesus, that of the prodigal son.—Read Luke 15:11-32.
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.
