Posts by processor

“Solomon proceeded to offer the communion sacrifices that he had to offer to Jehovah … a hundred and twenty thousand sheep, that the king and all the sons of Israel might inaugurate the house of Jehovah.” (1 Kings 8:63, NWT 1984) As is known, “Jesus Christ [is] the Greater Solomon,” and soon he soon offer a similar sacrifice for the inauguration of the great spiritual temple. (Awake!, February 22, 2002, page 9) Considering the greatness of this temple, the sacrifice will have to be much bigger – a “little flock” would never be enough. (Luke 12:32) It is a good thing that Jesus has “millions of ‘other sheep’” at his disposal. (The Watchtower, August 15, 2009, page 10) Sure, they “look forward to living right on into an earthly paradise.” (The Watchtower, April 15, 1995, page 31) But in actual fact, “Jesus Christ, the greater Solomon,” will offer them to his father as a communion sacrifice.

20

Where does the Governing Body say "old light" comes from?

by matt2414 in

the governing body claims they've received "new light" from jehovah every time they change their doctrine.

so where did the "old light" come from that's being replaced?

if the old light is incorrect, could it have come from god?

processor

The "old light" was "present truth" in its time. For example, until 1914, it was TRUE that Armageddon comes in 1914. Later, it was TRUE that Armageddon comes 1975. Both is no longer true now, but it was true back then.

Btw, since God resides on Alcyone, any "new light" that he sends "takes about 380 years until it reaches the earth and can be printed in the Watchtower. So, the current Watchtower issues contain ideas that God would have told his channel of communication in the year 1629 if he would already have existed back then." - see http://www.svhelden.info/witchtower/2012/05/jehovahs-word-keeps-moving-speedily/

22

What has the WTS EVER "predicted" that has actually come true?

by integ in

you'd think they could point to something right?

obviously we're the one true religion".. i can't fathom how anyone of any intelligence would be willing to join up with this org after doing even rudimentary research.. for years they have taught that it's wrong to seek advanced education or to plan for a "worldly" future by trusting in this system of things and then this past sunday the watchtower article rips on people for not planning for the future in regard to their elderly relatives.

maybe if they hadn't been teaching for 100 yr's that the end was "just around the corner" and telling us we'd better believe that fact...or else, we would have planned better for a future that you said without reservation would not even occur.. what mind blowing prediction can they point to that would convince someone "oh yeah..these guys have it right"...?.

processor

They correctly predicted "cheap wireless phones" in 1919.

http://www.svhelden.info/bilder_kopfschwitz/ga1919_s56.jpg

176

THE ALTERNATIVE DAILY TEXT by The Witchtower editor

by processor in

i have published more than 200 'daily text' comments in german, and will now start translating those into english.

they will be published here:.

http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/.

processor

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=752970411414379&id=114394598605300

http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/2014/06/07/be-praising-our-god-all-you-his-slaves/

Alternative Daily Text for Saturday, June 7, 2014

“Be praising our God, all you his slaves.” (Revelation 19:5)

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that “a global paradise [is] just before” us. (Live With Jehovah’s Day in Mind, page 99) How will God accomplish that? Will he reshape the earth himself? Will Jesus, the King of his Kingdom, lend a hand?

Jesus is “the Greater Solomon,” thus we can learn from Solomon’s approach how Jesus will act in the new world. (The Watchtower, August 15, 2010, page 29) How did Solomon implement his buildings? “All the people … who were not part of the people of Israel … were conscripted by Solomon for forced labor as slaves until this day.” – 1 Kings 9:20, 21.

We can assume that Jesus Christ too will conscript ‘all the people who are not part of the spiritual Israel for forced labor as slaves.’ He will follow his father’s example, who even in the New Jerusalem will have “slaves” that must “offer him sacred service.” (Revelation 22:3) What wonderful prospects lie ahead!

176

THE ALTERNATIVE DAILY TEXT by The Witchtower editor

by processor in

i have published more than 200 'daily text' comments in german, and will now start translating those into english.

they will be published here:.

http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/.

processor

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=751497438228343&id=114394598605300

http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/stop-worrying-about-what-you-will-wear/

Alternative Daily Text for Wednesday, June 4, 2014

“Stop worrying about … what you will wear.” **(Matthew 6:25, ISV)**

Jesus repeated the same command again and said: “Do not be concerned or say … ‘What will we wear’?” (Matthew 6:31, ABPE) The statement is clear and unambiguous: Christians should not “be concerned” or “worrying” about what they will wear.

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses comply with this command? Not at all! The Research Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses contains a whole section about ‘Dress and Grooming.’ (2014 edition, page 72) They say that it would be “important … to pay attention to our dress.” (The Watchtower, August 1, 2002, page 17) Even interested persons are to be reminded “of the importance of giving attention to proper dress.” (Our Kingdom Ministry, March 1998, page 7) “Most brothers and sisters therefore consider very carefully what clothing they will wear.” (Our Kingdom Ministry, August 1974, page 8) They are even encouraged to “observe the attire of those who … give public talks.” – Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education, page 133.

Is this not a clear contradiction of Jesus’ command? Far from ‘not being concerned,’ Jehovah’s Witnesses have created countless regulations regarding clothing. They rack their brains to decide whether “T-shirts advertising your favorite movie or sports star or some other hero” are allowed, and eventually conclude that wearing such would be “idolatry.” (Awake!, February 8, 1999, page 19) Youth are forced to “give proper attention to what we wear and how we wear it.” (Awake!, February 8, 1987, page 18) The books Your Youth – Getting the Best out of It and Questions Young People Ask – Answers That Work even feature whole chapters on how to dress!

Anyone wearing the wrong kind of clothes is excluded from Christian privileges. No one is allowed to give a public talk without a tie and a jacket in most countries; some congregations even require a white shirt and a plain suit. Christian women have been refused admittance to the stage because their skirt was too short or they were wearing a pantsuit. Is this not very far from ‘not being concerned what we will wear?’ No doubt, Jehovah’s Witnesses are under no circumstances true Christians, but rather they are “the deceiver and the antichrist.” – 2 John 7.

15

The Final Part of the Days for the Watch Tower Society

by processor in

(dan.

processor

You could print the PDF version, though that contains a few more typos ;) http://www.svhelden.info/pdf/witchtower_05_2009.pdf

"As the number ten in Scripture is a symbol of completeness," the "ten toes" symbolize that the complete organization will be destroyed. - The Watchtower, November 15, 1963, page 700.

15

The Final Part of the Days for the Watch Tower Society

by processor in

(dan.

processor

The “Final Part of the Days” for the Watch Tower Society

“He is changing times and seasons, removing kings.” (Dan. 2:21)

We all want to know what the future holds. So did King Nebuchadnezzar. He had a dream, which is nothing uncommon per se. All people have dreams time and again. But Nebuchadnezzar took his dream for a sign from God. Hence, he consulted “all the wise men of Babylon [the Great],” but none of them was able to interpret his dream. (Dan. 2:12) After some time, Daniel, a servant of Jehovah, had a similar dream and could tell the king its meaning.

As the November 1, 1993 Watchtower pointed out, “we know that some of Daniel’s prophecies were to be fulfilled in our time.” (p. 8) That applies to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream – it fulfills right in front of our eyes. Thus, it is of paramount importance for us to scrutinize it and take appropriate steps.

An Image

Daniel explained: “You, O king, happened to be beholding, and, look! a certain immense image. That image, which was large and the brightness of which was extraordinary, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was dreadful.” (Dan. 2:31) What does this “immense image” illustrate? The December 1, 1976 Watchtower gives an important hint: “There is an image, however, that has been looked to for more than thirty years as man’s best hope for peace. It is not some figure of a human or an animal but is an international organization … What is that organization?” – p. 709.

Which “international organization” claims to have “man’s best hope for peace?” As Awake! wrote in its December 22, 1995 issue, only Jehovah’s Witnesses “advocate God’s Kingdom as the only hope for true peace.” (p. 24) Hence, the “image” is the Watchtower organization. This organization is really “immense” and “large,” for it floods the whole earth with its pamphlets. Its “brightness” is “extraordinary,” since by their own admission, their publications always contain “brighter light,” for many decades now.

Since the image is so extraordinarily bright, why does Daniel say: “Its appearance was dreadful?” This does not refer to the Watchtower organization itself, but to their followers. Many of them wear clothes that could only be purchased at a flea market even hundred years ago. They don’t care much about themselves, their appearance and their health (because Armageddon is at hand anyway); hence, they look miserable and “dreadful.” They are derided, but they take the mockery as a proof of being true Christians. (2. Pet. 3:3) That’s why they think that ‘their brightness would be extraordinary’ though their fellow men view them as “dreadful.”

The Beginnings

Daniel describes the image: “Its head was of good gold, its breasts and its arms were of silver, its belly and its thighs were of copper, its legs were of iron, its feet were partly of iron and partly of molded clay.” (Dan. 2:32, 33) That the materials got cheaper and cheaper shows that an initially good organization would more and more diverge from its ideals.

Then Daniel says to Nebuchadnezzar: “You, O king … you to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom … you yourself are the head of gold.” (Dan. 2:37) Whom did God charge with proclaiming “the kingdom?” It was Charles Taze Russell, of whom Jehovah’s Witnesses think that he is now ruling as heavenly “king.” According to Prof. S. A. Ellis, “he is without a parallel in this Age. Without a blemish in his character, with the loftiest ideals of God, and the possibilities of man, he towers like a giant, unmatched. … [He] is stamping his opinion on the world as no other man has done since the days of the Reformation.” (quoted from The Finished Mystery, p. 126) There can really be no doubt that “the head of gold” is C. T. Russell, the first president of the Watch Tower Society.[*]

Daniel continued to tell Nebuchadnezzar: “After you there will rise another kingdom.” (Dan. 2:39) Indeed, there rose another “king” after Russell’s death, Judge Rutherford. But his “kingdom” was of “another” kind than Russell’s, as he did not emphasize on the individual Christian’s freedom but rather laid the foundation for an all-dominating centralized organization.

Global Expansion

After that, Daniel mentioned “another kingdom, a third one … that will rule over the whole earth.” (Dan. 2:39) This indicates a time of global expansion. Indeed, Nathan Homer Knorr, the third president of the Watch Tower Society, delivered the lecture “The Problems of Reconstruction and Expansion” in 1946. He became president in 1942, and according to the April 1, 1972 Watchtower “especially from 1945 onward, global expansion was truly under way.” – p. 403.

Hence, the third “king” is N. H. Knorr, who like a clever businessman turned Jehovah’s Witnesses to a tightly organized preacher organization. Hundreds of thousands of publishers dedicated all their spare time to selling their organization’s books from house to house. Even a “Theocratic Court” was held under his presidency.

“Strong like Iron”

N. H. Knorr was still president of the Watch Tower Society in 1975. This year came and went, but the foretold end of man’s rule did not occur. Thus, a firm hand was required to keep the Watchtower followers together. Exactly this type of leadership had been foretold by Daniel: “As for the fourth kingdom, it will prove to be strong like iron. Forasmuch as iron is crushing and grinding everything else, so, like iron that shatters, it will crush and shatter even all these.” – Daniel 2:40.

The fourth “king” and fourth president of the Watch Tower Society was Frederick William Franz. He made sure that all “marplots” who doubted his ideas were disfellowshipped, including his nephew Raymond Victor Franz. Even Carl Olof Jonsson, who made the Watch Tower officials aware of discrepancies in their calculation of 607 and 1914, has been thrown out during Franz’ presidency. Indeed, F. W. Franz ‘crushed and shattered’ everything that stood in his way.

But the image had two “legs … of iron.” (Dan. 2:33) The second leg represents Milton George Henschel, who was president of the Watch Tower Society from 1992 to 2000. Basically, he continued the iron-like management style of his predecessor. For example, the new “understanding” about the “generation” of Matthew 24 (that has been abandoned in 2008) was published during his presidency.

Unstable Feet

Now Daniel explained the condition that the Watchtower organization would face towards the end of its existence: “As for the toes of the feet being partly of iron and partly of molded clay, the kingdom will partly prove to be strong and will partly prove to be fragile. Whereas you beheld iron mixed with moist clay, they will come to be mixed with the offspring of mankind.” – Dan. 2:42, 43.

The feet symbolize the Watchtower organization’s condition since the year 2000. At that time, its management was reorganized, so that the Governing Body does not at the same time make up the directors of the Watch Tower Society. (see Isaiah’s Prophecy – Light for All Mankind, vol. 2, p. 317) The president and other managers are now from “the offspring of mankind,” that is, from the ‘other sheep’ that are not born again in Christ (John 3:3) The Governing Body has to cooperate with these (allegedly their future subjects), so that anointed and non-anointed Christians are “mixed” at the executive floors in Brooklyn.

In what way the management of the Watchtower organization “will partly prove to be strong and will partly prove to be fragile?” Since F. W. Franz’ death they are lacking a charismatic leader. There were even rumors about a kind of power struggle within the Governing Body. Indeed, no clear course can be seen in all the theological and organizational changes of the past years. For example, they abolished meetings, but at the same time they say that Christians should gather “all the more” in our time. – Heb. 10:25.

The End Nears

“The end nears,” says the brochure Keep on the Watch!. (p. 21) But likely, the writers did not consider that their own end is involved. The prophet Daniel, inspired by God, continued to explain “that out of the mountain a stone was cut not by hands, and that it crushed the iron, the copper, the molded clay, the silver and the gold. … At that time the iron, the molded clay, the copper, the silver and the gold were, all together, crushed and became like the chaff from the summer threshing floor, and the wind carried them away so that no trace at all was found of them.” – Dan. 2:45, 35.

What does the “stone” that will finally crush the image stand for? It was ‘cut out of the mountain.’ And “streaming to ‘the mountain of Jehovah’s house’” means “becoming his baptized witnesses,” according to the May 15, 1988 Watchtower. (p. 17) Hence, the “mountain” represents the Watchtower organization. The “stone” are apostates who were disfellowshipped “not by hands” – not by physical violence, but by a judicial committee. Using books and brochures, internet forums and other means, they uncover the errors of the Watch Tower Society and their presidents.

They have fully discarded all Watchtower teachings, “so that no trace at all was found” in their minds. But it is only a question of time until nothing at all will remain of this mendacious organization. Their followers will be scattered to the four winds “like the chaff from the summer threshing floor.”

But don’t C. T. Russell, J. F. Rutherford, N. H. Knorr, F. W. Franz and M. G. Henschel already rule as heavenly kings? This may be true, but Jehovah “is changing times and seasons, removing kings.” (Dan. 2:21) These self-proclaimed kings will face the same destiny as Saul, who was first chosen and then abolished by Jehovah. – 1 Sam. 10:1, 16:14.

It Will Come True

Some may argue, this prospect would be too good to be true. But “the dream is reliable, and the interpretation of it is trustworthy.” (Dan. 2:45) The Bible’s statement is clear. The major part of the prophecy has already fulfilled, and there is no doubt that the remaining part will come true within a short time.

[*] According to worldly sources, William Henry Conley was the first president of the WTS and Charles Taze Russell the second one. But there is no reason why we should doubt the writings of the “faithful and discreet slave” which call Russell consistently “the first president of the Watch Tower Society.” (compare Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, p. 576)

6

Jehovah vs. Jehovah - A comparison

by processor in

getting to know the warrior who gives peace we can learn something about god when we are concerned with people like jacob, who saw god face to face.

(gen. 32:30) true, moses and aaron, nadab and abihu and seventy of the older men of israel proceeded to go up, and they got to see the god of israel.

24:9, 10.someone who has seen god face to face surely would be able to teach us many things about him.

processor

Getting to Know the Warrior Who Gives Peace

We can learn something about God when we are concerned with people like Jacob, who saw “God face to face.” (Gen. 32:30) True, “Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the older men of Israel proceeded to go up, and they got to see the God of Israel.” – Ex. 24:9, 10.	Someone who has seen God face to face surely would be able to teach us many things about him. But “no man has seen God at any time.” (John 1:18) Paul clearly wrote that “not one of men has seen or can see” him. (1. Tim. 6:16) Jehovah himself said: “No man may see me and yet live.” – Ex. 33:20.
It is obvious that Jehovah wants to be seen by men. The apostle Paul wrote that he “dwells in … light.” (1. Tim. 6:16) John also stated that God “himself is in the light” and “there is no darkness at all in union with him.” (1. John 1:6, 7) Jesus made clear that Jehovah is always approachable:: “Everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened.” (Luke 11:10) Jehovah himself said: “Those looking for me are the ones that find me.” (Pr. 8:17) It is not difficult to get to know something about God.	It is obvious that Jehovah does not want to be seen by men. David wrote that Jehovah “made darkness his concealment place, all around him as his booth, dark waters, thick clouds.” (Ps. 18:11) His son Solomon said: “Jehovah himself said he was to reside in the thick gloom.” (1. Ki. 8:12) He made clear that there will come a day where he will not be approachable: “At that time they will keep calling me, but I shall not answer; they will keep looking for me, but they will not find me.” (Pr. 1:28) It is not easy to get to know something about God.
All people have equal chances, “for there is no partiality with God.” (Rom. 2:11) In another letter, the apostle Paul wrote “that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34, 35) So, we can be absolutely sure that we can approach God and get to know him.	Not all people have equal chances. When Jacob and Esau “had not yet been born nor had practiced anything good or vile, in order that the purpose of God respecting the choosing might continue dependent, not upon works, but upon the One who calls, it was said …: ‘The older will be the slave of the younger.’ Just as it is written.” (Rom. 11:9-13) Likewise, Canaan had been “cursed” even before his birth. (Gen. 9:25) So, we cannot be sure at all if we can approach God and get to know him.
Mankind really has the most favorable circumstances for a good relationship with God. “Everything he had made” – including mankind – “was very good.” (Gen. 1:31) And he “is not … a son of mankind that he should feel regret.” (Num. 23:19) Samuel said to Saul: “He will not feel regrets, for He is not an earthling man so as to feel regrets.” – 1. Sam. 15:29.	Mankind really has no favorable circumstances for a good relationship with God. Even shortly after completing creation, “Jehovah saw that the badness of man was abundant in the earth. … And Jehovah felt regrets that he had made men in the earth.” – Gen. 6:5, 6.
Early in human history, he gave a perfect law to the nation of Israel through which they could gain life. David wrote: “The law of Jehovah is perfect, bringing back the soul.” And “Moses writes that the man that has done the righteousness of the Law will live by it.” – Rom. 10:5.	Early in human history, he gave an imperfect law to the nation of Israel. Later, he said: “I myself also gave them regulations that were not good and judicial decisions by which they could not keep living.” (Eze. 20:25, footnote) “Therefore by works of law no flesh will be declared righteous before him.” – Rom. 3:20.
We can get to know Jehovah through the Bible, for “all Scripture is inspired of God.” (2. Ti. 3:16) Its writers “spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.” (2. Pet. 1:21) Hence, it is important to adhere closely to the Bible in all questions.	We can get to know Jehovah through the Bible, but not all of its content is inspired by God. For example, the apostle Paul acknowledged “I say, yes, I, not the Lord …” (1. Cor. 7:12) Jesus also implied that some commands from the Mosaic Law had not come from God. – Mark 10:3-6.
So, what should we do if the Bible’s advice does not conform to our personal opinion? Wise Solomon advises us: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding.” (Pr. 3:5) So, instead of listening to our own mind and our treacherous heart, we should fully trust in the Bible’s advice. To rely on our own understanding may lead to ruin.	So, what should we do if the Bible’s advice does not conform to our personal opinion? Jehovah tells us through Jeremiah: “Behave with understanding.” (Jer. 9:17) And the apostle Paul advises us: “Let your reasonableness become known to all men.” (Phil. 4:5) Indeed, it can be unreasonable to take the Bible’s rules literally – they were written thousands of years ago for a totally different cultural sphere. We should rely to our heart and our own understanding to make a good decision.
What does the Bible tell us about Jehovah? The apostle Paul mentions one of his outstanding qualities when he calls him “the God who gives peace.” (Rom. 15:33) True, “God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace.” (1. Cor. 14:33) Since we should “become imitators of God,” we also must work towards peace. Isaiah foretold about God’s servants: “Neither will they learn war anymore.” – Is. 2:4.	What does the Bible tell us about Jehovah? Moses mentions one of his outstanding qualities: “Jehovah is a manly person of war (‘a warrior’, NIV).” (Ex. 15:3) He said regarding his enemies: “I will dash them one against another. … I shall show no compassion, nor feel any sorrow, and I shall not have the mercy to keep from bringing them to ruin.” (Jer. 13:14) Since we should “become imitators of God,” we must not refrain from fighting against his enemies. We could consider a military career to “put on the complete suit of armor” and be prepared for God’s war. – Eph. 6:11.
Jehovah does not become provoked easily. He is “slow to anger … pardoning error and transgression and sin.” (Ex. 34:6, 7) James wrote “that Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful.” (James 5:11) “He is good, for to time indefinite is his loving-kindness.” (1. Chr. 16:34) He declared: “I do not take any delight in the death of someone.” (Eze. 18:32) True, “Jehovah is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness.” (Ps. 103:8) Let us imitate him by being merciful to our fellow men. Let us help them to survive God’s day of judgment instead of rejoicing at their annihilation.	Jehovah does become provoked easily. The psalmist wrote: “His anger flares up easily.” (Ps. 2:12) When the Philistines brought back the Ark of the Covenant and the men of Beth-Shemesh looked upon it, “he struck down among the people seventy men” and then “fifty thousand men,” he “struck down the people with a great slaughter.” (1. Sam. 6:19) Many hundred years after the Amalekites showed a hostile attitude towards Israel, Jehovah commanded Saul: “Go, and you must strike down Amalek and devote him to destruction with all that he has, and you must not have compassion upon him, and you must put them to death, man as well as woman, child as well as suckling.” (1. Sam. 15:3) Let us imitate Jehovah by not having compassion upon our fellow men. Rather, let us rejoice that he will execute judgment against all worldlings.
It is surely comforting for us to know that God does never bring temptations upon his servants. The apostle James wrote: “When under trial, let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.” (James 1:13) The “tempter” is Satan the Devil. (Mat. 4:1-3) It was him who incited David to number Israel; the count revealed that there were 1,570,000 men and led to a three-year famine where 70,000 Israelites died. (1. Chr. 21:1, 5, 14) So, we should be on the guard against Satan.	It is surely daunting for us to know that God does bring temptations upon his servants. Jesus taught his disciples to ask Jehovah on every occasion: “Do not bring us into temptation.” (Mat. 6:13) Even Moses explained to the nation of Israel: “Jehovah your God is testing you.” (Deut. 13:3) Hundreds of years before, “the true God put Abraham to the test.” (Gen. 22:1) It was him who incited David to number Israel; the count revealed that there were 1,300,000 men and led to a seven-year famine where 70,000 Israelites died. (2. Sam. 24:1, 9, 13, Footnote) So, we should be on the guard against Jehovah.
Jehovah said with regard to other nations‘ customs: “Everything detestable to Jehovah that he does hate they have done to their gods, for even their sons and their daughters they regularly burn in the fire.” (Deut. 12:30, 31) True, human sacrifices are an abomination for Jehovah. He clearly said that “to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire” was “a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart.” (Jer. 7:31) Under no circumstances, he would accept or even require a human sacrifice. In ancient times, he wanted animals as sacrifice, and today it is the “sacrifice of praise” that makes him rejoice. – Heb. 13:15.	Jehovah’s command to Abraham was clearly defined: “Take, please, your son, your only son whom you so love, Isaac, and make a trip to the land of Moriah and there offer him up as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall designate to you.” (Gen. 22:2) Jehovah required Abraham to burn his son in the fire and offer him as a sacrifice. On this occasion, he intervened at the last minute and prevented the offering. (Gen. 22:12) But later, Jehovah accepted a human sacrifice. “There came to be a famine in the days of David for three years.” Jehovah told David: “Upon Saul and upon his house there is bloodguilt, because he put the Gibeonites to death.” (2. Sam. 21:1) David accepted the Gibeonites’ suggestion to take “seven men of his sons,” and “he gave them into the hand of the Gibeonites and they proceeded to expose them on the mountain before Jehovah, so that the seven of them fell together; and they themselves were put to death. … So God let himself be entreated for the land after this.” (2. Sam. 21:7, 9, 14) Likewise, Christian parents of our day can offer their apostate children as a burnt offering to Jehovah. That may be contrary to worldly law, but “we must obey God as ruler rather than men.” – Acts 5:29.
Jehovah is not in need of putting people to the test or tempting them, as the apostles prayed: “You, O Jehovah, who know the hearts of all.” (Acts 1:24) And David said to God: “You have considered my thought from far off. … You have become familiar even with all my ways.” (Ps. 139:2, 3) The creator does not need to go anywhere in order to see something. “The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, keeping watch upon the bad ones and the good ones.” (Pr. 15:3) “There is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight.” – Heb. 4:13.	Jehovah had to put Abraham to the test in order to get to know his state of heart. Only when he applied the knife to put his son to death, Jehovah said to him: “Now I do know that you are God-fearing.” (Gen. 22:12) He could also not see from heaven what actually happened in Sodom and Gomorrah. Hence, he said to Abraham: “I am quite determined to go down that I may see whether they act altogether according to the outcry over it that has come to me, and, if not, I can get to know it.” (Gen. 18:21) Even before, shortly after the flood, “Jehovah proceeded to go down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men had built.” – Gen. 11:5.
Jehovah “does not dwell in houses made with hands.” (Acts 7:48) The apostle Paul confirmed this fact to the inhabitants of Athens (Acts 17:24) “Jehovah – in the heavens is his throne.” (Ps. 11:4) Should not the fact that he can watch us always and everywhere fill us with awe? At the same time, we can be sure that he can hear our prayers, regardless of where we are.	Jehovah said about the temple in Jerusalem: “My eyes and my heart will certainly prove to be there always.” (2. Chr. 7:16) Jehovah’s eyes are in Israel up to now. Hence, he cannot see what happens elsewhere on earth. We can feel unobserved when we live outside Israel. However, we should offer our prayers in or at least near Jerusalem. When Jerusalem was devastated and Daniel lived at Cyrus’ court, he prayed with “the windows in his roof chamber being open for him toward Jerusalem.” – Dan. 6:10.
The apostle Paul wrote that “it is impossible for God to lie”; he called Jehovah the God “who cannot lie.” (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2) Indeed, “God is not a man that he should tell lies.” (Nu. 23:19) Therefore, we too “wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.” (Heb. 13:18) “All the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur.” – Rev. 21:8.	God makes use of lies to reach his accomplish his goals. Paul wrote about his contemporaries: “God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie.” (2. Th. 2:11) Hundreds of years before, the prophet Micaiah said to King Ahab: “Jehovah has put a deceptive spirit into the mouth of all these prophets.” (1. Kings 22:23) Like the prophet Elisha, we too can lie if it boots. – 2. Kings 6:19.
Are we not grateful that God’s word provides clear and distinct answers to many important questions?	Are we not grateful that God’s word provides clear and distinct answers to many important questions?

Important Questions

1. Can humans see God?

2. a) What kind of dwelling place did Jehovah choose for himself? b) Is Jehovah approachable anytime?

3. Does every man have equal chances before God? Explain.

4. Was Jehovah pleased with his creation?

5. a) What kind of law did Jehovah give to the nation of Israel? b) Could the Israelites gain life by following Jehovah’s law?

6. Is the whole Bible inspired of God? Explain.

7. What should we do if we don’t understand a Bible-based advice?

8. a) Mention Jehovah’s most outstanding quality. b) How should God’s servants view military service?

9. a) Does Jehovah become provoked easily? b) Is Jehovah merciful and gracious?

10. a) Who brings tests and temptations upon God’s servants? b) How many men revealed the census in David’s day? c) How long did the famine last that Jehovah brought upon Israel?

11. a) How does Jehovah view human sacrifices? b) How can we soften Jehovah’s face today?

12. a) Is Jehovah in need of putting men to the test? b) Can he look into the heart? c) How can he get to know what happens on earth?

13. a) Where does Jehovah stay? b) Can he watch us always and everywhere? c) Where does he hear our prayers?

14. Is lying appropriate for Christians? Explain.

15. Why should we be grateful?

176

THE ALTERNATIVE DAILY TEXT by The Witchtower editor

by processor in

i have published more than 200 'daily text' comments in german, and will now start translating those into english.

they will be published here:.

http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/.

processor

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http://dailytext2.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/every-man-is-a-liar/

Alternative Daily Text for Monday, May 26, 2014

“Every man is a liar.” **(Romans 3:4, KJV)**

This short statement in the Bible is of great significance. “The Bible itself tells us that its contents of sixty-six smaller books were written by men.” (Holy Spirit – The Force Behind the Coming New Order!, page 57) “Jesus was a man” too (“Come Be My Follower”, page 152) And we must not forget that “even … the ‘faithful and discreet slave’ [is] made up of imperfect fleshly men.” – The Watchtower, August 15, 1981, page 28.

But were the Bible writers not inspired by God? The apostle Peter wrote that “men spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:21) The “faithful and discreet slave has also been called God’s channel of communication,” at least by himself. (The Watchtower, September 1, 1991, page 19) However, although God “cannot lie,” it is still possible that his delegates do so. In the days of King Ahab “Jehovah allowed a spirit creature to become ‘a deceptive spirit’ in the mouth of Ahab’s prophets. That is to say, this spirit creature exercised his power upon them so that they spoke, not truth.” (Insight on the Scriptures, volume II, page 245) God made his prophets lie, and he might have influenced the Bible writers or the “faithful and discreet slave” the same way.

The Bible writers, Jesus Christ, the “faithful and discreet slave” – they all are men, and “all men are liars,” whether they are lying on behalf of God or on their own accord. (Psalm 116:11, NASB; 1 Kings 22:23) So it is completely out of the question “that it is folly to trust in imperfect humans,” because “trusting in man leads to disaster.” (The Watchtower, March 15, 1988, page 10; May 15, 1979, page 3) Furthermore, we cannot be saved anyway, since “all people are liars,” and “all the liars … will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.” – Psalm 116:11, ISV; Revelation 21:8.

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Posts by processor

“Solomon offered … 120,000 sheep.” (1 Kings 8:63)

“Be praising our God, all you his slaves.” (Revelation 19:5)

“Stop worrying about … what you will wear.” (Matthew 6:25, ISV)

“Every man is a liar.” (Romans 3:4, KJV)

“Stop worrying about … what you will wear.” **(Matthew 6:25, ISV)**

“Every man is a liar.” **(Romans 3:4, KJV)**