Posts by Pallbearer

24

From Paradise Lost To Paradise Regained: Is the WTS the sole promoter of this doctrine?

by Pallbearer in

howdy folks,.

i am interested in learning whether or not the watchtower society is the only religious entity that teaches the "from paradise lost to paradise regained" idea.. the "idea" is that god's original purpose for man and the earth has not changed.

god purposed for adam and eve and their offspring to reproduce and fill the earth and live forever upon it; but the problem of sin entered into the picture and temporarily interrupted that purpose from being completed.

Pallbearer

Hello Sea Breeze, and thanks for sharing your thoughts.

To quote myself, this is what I said in the opening post:

I have a hunch that this particular "idea" (teaching) is one [that] no other church or religion complies with because, for one thing, they all believe that the earth is going to be burned up.

This is what you said to DJW:

DJW, I think a literal reading is just what it says... NEW Heavens and a NEW Earth.
"the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." - 2 Peter 3: 10

Unlike the churches of Christendom, the Watchtower Society does not believe that the heavens are to LITERALLY “pass away”. Also, unlike the churches of Christendom, the Watchtower Society does not believe that the earth is to LITERALLY “be burned up”. Christendom believes the earth will become totally destroyed and later replaced with a totally different new earth. This is what distinguishes Christendom’s “idea” of the doctrine "From Paradise Lost To Paradise Regained" from that of the Watchtower Society. Thus, Christendom has their version of this doctrine, and the Watchtower Society has its version.

I think that it is safe to say that the Watchtower Society’s understanding of this doctrine is definitely unique--no other church or religion presents it the same way.

Thanks,

Paul

24

From Paradise Lost To Paradise Regained: Is the WTS the sole promoter of this doctrine?

by Pallbearer in

howdy folks,.

i am interested in learning whether or not the watchtower society is the only religious entity that teaches the "from paradise lost to paradise regained" idea.. the "idea" is that god's original purpose for man and the earth has not changed.

god purposed for adam and eve and their offspring to reproduce and fill the earth and live forever upon it; but the problem of sin entered into the picture and temporarily interrupted that purpose from being completed.

Pallbearer

Hi there Disillusioned JW!

I want to thank you for asking these very pointed and helpful questions.

You said:

Regarding those mainstream non-JW churches that teach a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ, do they believe that Earth will become totally destroyed and later replaced with a totally different new Earth, or do they believe our Earth will become severely damaged and then fully restored/repaired (and made better than it ever was) and made new in that sense? Likewise do they believe the heavens (where they say God lives?) will be completely destroyed and replaced with a totally different new heavens, or do they mean some other kind of heavens will be destroyed?

24

From Paradise Lost To Paradise Regained: Is the WTS the sole promoter of this doctrine?

by Pallbearer in

howdy folks,.

i am interested in learning whether or not the watchtower society is the only religious entity that teaches the "from paradise lost to paradise regained" idea.. the "idea" is that god's original purpose for man and the earth has not changed.

god purposed for adam and eve and their offspring to reproduce and fill the earth and live forever upon it; but the problem of sin entered into the picture and temporarily interrupted that purpose from being completed.

Pallbearer

Howdy folks,

I am interested in learning whether or not The Watchtower Society is the ONLY religious entity that teaches the "From Paradise Lost To Paradise Regained" idea.

The "idea" is that God's original purpose for man and the earth has not changed. God purposed for Adam and Eve and their offspring to reproduce and fill the earth and live forever upon it; but the problem of sin entered into the picture and temporarily interrupted that purpose from being completed. Having sinned, the first human couple were expelled from the beautiful garden that God had made for them. So that's when paradise was "lost". Once the problem of sin has been taken care of, mankind will be back on track and the earth will become a physical and spiritual paradise. So that's when paradise will have been "regained".

So that's the "idea". God's original purpose for mankind and the earth will finally have been completed. The earth is to last forever and be filled with people who also last forever.

So my question is: If there should happen to be another religion or denomination that understands the Bible the same way the Watchtower Society does with regards to this "idea," then who is it? I personally do not know of any, but if by chance you do I would greatly appreciate being enlightened.

I have a hunch that this particular "idea" (teaching) is one no other church or religion complies with because, for one thing, they all believe that the earth is going to be burned up.

Thanks for any help that you might offer.

Paul

30

Badge of honor - for apostasy!

by Vidqun in

today, i have attended my jc meeting, courtesy of three local elders.

all three had their "shepherd"-books on their laps.

i carefully and meticulously proved to them that their interpretation of dan.

Pallbearer

Hello Vidqun,

I just read your story about being disfellowshipped.

So now that 8 years have passed, and I am assuming that you still believe in God and the Bible, I am wondering if you have found some group or church to associate with?

Just curious.

Paul

17

Questions I have about the "Ministry School".

by Pallbearer in

i remember that jehovah's witnesses used to have a 2-hour, 2-part mid-week meeting which included a 1-hour "ministry school" followed by a 1-hour "service meeting".

please correct me if i am wrong in any respect but to the best of my memory the ministry school was composed of 4 parts, as follows:.

part 1: an "instruction talk".

Pallbearer

Thanks for the information, FFG!

I can see that I am way behind in a number of areas.

So, would it be safe for me to assume that the structure of the present "Ministry School" is basically the same as before? That it starts off with the "Instruction Talk" and is followed by those who are enrolled in the School? Or, have some of those parts now been replaced with pre-recorded videos?

17

Questions I have about the "Ministry School".

by Pallbearer in

i remember that jehovah's witnesses used to have a 2-hour, 2-part mid-week meeting which included a 1-hour "ministry school" followed by a 1-hour "service meeting".

please correct me if i am wrong in any respect but to the best of my memory the ministry school was composed of 4 parts, as follows:.

part 1: an "instruction talk".

Pallbearer

I remember that Jehovah's Witnesses used to have a 2-hour, 2-part mid-week meeting which included a 1-hour "Ministry School" followed by a 1-hour "Service Meeting". Please correct me if I am wrong in any respect but to the best of my memory the Ministry School was composed of 4 parts, as follows:

Part 1: An "Instruction Talk". Generally given by an Elder.

Part 2: A reading of a select portion of Scripture. Given by an enrolled brother and most often by someone young.

Part 3: A talk given by an enrolled brother.

Part 4: A demonstration given by an enrolled sister who is assisted by another sister.

Now the questions I have are these:

Do Jehovah's Witnesses STILL have this "Ministry School"?
If so, has there been any changes made?
If not, what has the "Ministry School" been replaced with?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Paul

22

First 3 Presidents never knew JC began his reign as King in 1914 ?

by smiddy3 in

the first 3 presidents of the i.b.s.a ./ jehovah`s witnesses / wtb&ts.. w.h.conley ,c.t.russell ,j.f.rutherford .. how many jehovah`s witnesses know that ?

how many ex jehovah`s witnesses knew that ?

the wt society teaches that jesus returned to begin his "invisible presence" in 1914 directing his attention toward the earth as ruling king.

Pallbearer

Thanks for posting that fantastic chart, TD.

15

I've been shot

by FatFreek 2005 in

yes, the long-awaited vaccine entered my bloodstream yesterday at 5 pm.. as steve martin humorously remarked, "good news/bad news.

good news: i just got vaccinated!

bad news: i got it because i'm 75.

Pallbearer

I think that I want some of the same vaccine these husky nurses got. Which vaccine was it, I wonder? I suppose that if it is no longer available, then I may have to force myself up off this couch and do an extra trip or two to the refrigerator just for the exercise -- but ONLY if it will give me muscles like them there nurses.

13

"extremism" -- What specifically did Russia ban Jehovah's Witnesses for?

by Pallbearer in

russia's reason for banning jehovah's witnesses is said to be due to extremism.

but what exactly does that mean, or refer to?

specifically, what practice (or practices) of jehovah's witnesses does russia consider to be extreme?

Pallbearer

Hello "was a new boy"!

The video of Winston's that you posted (in which you said to "jump to 7:15") had the very information my thread is seeking--namely the specific reasons why Russia considers the JWs to be extremists. However, there's the nagging little problem that right where it mattered the most Winston failed to cite the source of what was being said. (Son-of-a-gun, Sir Winston, is that the best you can do?) It's difficult to tell whether Winston is quoting a newspaper or what, and without that important detail what was being said/quoted carries little weight.

At any rate, thank you "was a new boy" for your fine effort at addressing the question which this thread poses. It was Winston that dropped the ball, not you.

Paul

13

"extremism" -- What specifically did Russia ban Jehovah's Witnesses for?

by Pallbearer in

russia's reason for banning jehovah's witnesses is said to be due to extremism.

but what exactly does that mean, or refer to?

specifically, what practice (or practices) of jehovah's witnesses does russia consider to be extreme?

Pallbearer

Russia's reason for banning Jehovah's Witnesses is said to be due to EXTREMISM. But what exactly does that mean, or refer to? Specifically, what practice (or practices) of Jehovah's Witnesses does Russia consider to be EXTREME? I am asking this because I have yet to read an article on the subject that sheds enough light. I am always left wondering WHICH of the many practices of Jehovah's Witnesses is it that has caused the Russian Authorities to take such a stand against them and to confiscate all of their properties.

Do any of you here have a clue about this? If so, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Was it because of any of the following reasons?

JWs refuse to do military service.
JWs do not get involved in politics.
JWs refuse to salute a national emblem.
JWs teach that the worldwide political system is under the control of Satan.
JWs consider the Russian Orthodox Church (which Putin happens to be a member of) to be a false religion.
JWs believe that they alone have the truth.
JWs peculiar stand regarding "blood".
JWs don't celebrate birthdays or holidays.
JWs disciple-making work, going door-to-door.
JWs have a disfellowshipping policy that sometimes "divides families".

Was it because of ALL of the above?

Was it because of SOME of the above?

Was it because of NONE of the above?

Thanks for any help that you can provide.

Paul