Posts by Ultimate Reality

13

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 02-07-10 WT Review (ADVANCEMENT)

by blondie in

jw
friends

"--1 tim.

(2 tim.

(1 tim.

Whatever happened to the poster named V?

by SnakesInTheTower in

jw
friends

i get a 403 message for the watchtower comments web site... the youtube channel hasnt been visited by v in 8 months and it was april when v was here last?.

anyone know what ever became of v?

thanks for the update....pm me if you would rather not post on the public board.... snakes (rich .

NEW GENERATION DEFINED -- April 15, 2010 Watchtower

by Ultimate Reality in

from jw.org, here is the new definition of the generation from the april 15, 2010 watchtower.. .

article: holy spirits role in the outworking of jehovahs purpose.

13 third, holy spirit is at work in bringing bible.

They have been planning this since the convoluted explanation in 2008. When the current 2010 article says, "It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period", it is referring to the 2008 article that created this definition (see below). Of course, this does not fit the 1st Century parallel, and no one would ever read Jesus' words and arrive at this meaning, but faith in 1914 and the urgency of the times must be maintained.

From the February 15, 2008 Watchtower; the 'box' on Can We Calculate the Length of "This Generation"?:

The word "generation" usually refers to people of various ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period or event. For example, Exodus 1:6 tells us: "Eventually Joseph died, and also all his brothers and all that generation." Joseph and his brothers varied in age, but they shared a common experience during the same time period. Included in "that generation" were some of Joseph's brothers who were born before him. Some of these outlived Joseph. (Gen. 50:24) Others of "that generation," such as Benjamin, were born after Joseph was born and may have lived on after he died.

So when the term "generation" is used with reference to people living at a particular time, the exact length of that time cannot be stated except that it does have an end and would not be excessively long. Therefore, by using the term "this generation," as recorded at Matthew 24:34, Jesus did not give his disciples a formula to enable them to determine when "the last days" would end. Rather, Jesus went on to emphasize that they would not know "that day and hour."—2 Tim. 3:1; Matt. 24:36.

385

NEW GENERATION DEFINED -- April 15, 2010 Watchtower

by Ultimate Reality in

from jw.org, here is the new definition of the generation from the april 15, 2010 watchtower.. .

article: holy spirits role in the outworking of jehovahs purpose.

13 third, holy spirit is at work in bringing bible.

Ultimate Reality

This now marks the 6th definition of the Generation in the Society's history. Four of which have been applicable at some point over the past 15 years or so.

I love how the false premise of Proverbs 4:18 sets up this argument. Proverbs 4 talks about how a person lives their life -- it has nothing to do with 'new' truths.

For lurkers, see jwfacts.com for more details on the development of the concept of new light and the history of the Generation.

385

NEW GENERATION DEFINED -- April 15, 2010 Watchtower

by Ultimate Reality in

from jw.org, here is the new definition of the generation from the april 15, 2010 watchtower.. .

article: holy spirits role in the outworking of jehovahs purpose.

13 third, holy spirit is at work in bringing bible.

Ultimate Reality

From jw.org, here is the new definition of the Generation from the April 15, 2010 Watchtower.

Article: Holy Spirit’s Role in the Outworking of Jehovah’s Purpose

13 Third, holy spirit is at work in bringing Bible
truths to light. (Prov. 4:18) This magazine has
long been used by “the faithful and discreet slave”
as the primary channel for dispensing increased
light. (Matt. 24:45) For example, consider our understanding
of those who make up “this generation”
mentioned by Jesus. (Read Matthew 24:32-
34.) To what generation did Jesus refer? The article
“Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?”
explained that Jesus was referring, not to the wicked,
but to his disciples, who were soon to be anointed
with holy spirit. Jesus’ anointed followers, both
in the first century and in our day, would be the ones
who would not only see the sign but also discern its
meaning—that Jesus “is near at the doors.”

14 What does this explanation mean to us? Although
we cannot measure the exact length of “this
generation,” we do well to keep in mind several
things about the word “generation”: It usually refers
to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during
a particular time period; it is not excessively long;
and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6) How, then, are we to
understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”?
He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed
who were on hand when the sign began to become
evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other
anointed ones who would see the start of the great
tribulation. That generation had a beginning, and it
surely will have an end. The fulfillment of the various
features of the sign clearly indicate that the tribulation
must be near. By maintaining your sense of
urgency and keeping on the watch, you show that
you are keeping up with advancing light and following
the leadings of holy spirit.—Mark 13:37.

58

New light: Generation

by 5thGeneration in

got some info from the annual meeting.. unofficially, the 'generation' is now categorized as 2 groups.

the first is 'the 1914 group' and the second is the younger anointed 'contemporaries' who 'actually work for a period of time with those anointed ones'.. the 'generation' is now 'the lifespan of those who actually saw the beginning of the sign and then the lifespan of those who worked with those who saw the beginning of the sign'.. here we go again....

Ultimate Reality

At recent Circuit Assembly, the circuit's new C.O. made mention that new information was coming on the Generation. Keep a look out at jw.org for the April 2010 WT -- it might be in there or perhaps the May issue.

63

2009 Annual Worldwide Service Report -- 7.3 Million Publishers

by Joker10 in

china: the number of publishers has increased.

in some parts of the mainland, they can openly go door to door without much interference.

there are actally buildings now used as kingdom halls.

Ultimate Reality

Don't forget about this:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/184119/1/48-165-New-Publishers-in-ONE-MONTH

The Kingdom Ministry reported 48,165 new publishers in August. This number is being manipulated. Those that are "re-activated" get counted again, unbaptized publishers, 15 minute publishers, "studying" with one's children, and all those that didn't turn in time reports before the August service year cut-off.

This way they can hide how many are actually leaving; the true influx of new baptized ones barely makes up for those leaving.

12

What Josephus Really Wrote about the 70 Years

by Ultimate Reality in

there have been some partial quotations of josephus on this board recently in relation to how he explained the '70 years'.. .

in the interests of scholastic honesty and so that his words are not taken out of context, here are some relevant passages with their context.

you might ask yourself, do the 70 years (as spoken by the prophet jeremiah) begin with the destruction of the temple or before the destruction of the temple?

Ultimate Reality

haste, having but a few with him, over the desert to Babylon; whither, when he was come, he found the public affairs had been managed by the Chaldeans, and that the principal person among them had preserved the kingdom for him. Accordingly, he now entirely obtained all his father's dominions. He then came, and ordered the captives to be placed as colonies in the most proper places of Babylonia; but for himself, he adorned the temple of Belus, and the other temples, after an elegant manner, out of the spoils he had taken in this war. He also rebuilt the old city, and added another to it on the outside, and so far restored Babylon, that none who should besiege it afterwards might have it in their power to divert the river, so as to facilitate an entrance into it; and this he did by building three walls about the inner city, and three about the outer. Some of these walls he built of burnt brick and bitumen, and some of brick only. So when he had thus fortified the city with walls, after an excellent manner, and had adorned the gates magnificently, he added a new palace to that which his father had dwelt in, and this close by it also, and that more eminent in its height, and in its great splendor. It would perhaps require too long a narration, if any one were to describe it. However, as prodigiously large and as magnificent as it was, it was finished in fifteen days. Now in this palace he erected very high walks, supported by stone pillars, and by planting what was called a pensile paradise, and replenishing it with all sorts of trees, he rendered the prospect an exact resemblance of a mountainous country. This he did to please his queen, because she had been brought up in Media, and was fond of a mountainous situation."

Against Apion (partially 20 and 21):

Hereupon Cyrus took Babylon, and gave order that the outer walls of the city should be demolished, because the city had proved very troublesome to him, and cost him a great deal of pains to take it. He then marched away to Borsippus, to besiege Nabonnedus; but as Nabonnedus did not sustain the siege, but delivered himself into his hands, he was at first kindly used by Cyrus, who gave him Carmania, as a place for him to inhabit in, but sent him out of Babylonia. Accordingly Nabonnedus spent the rest of his time in that country, and there died."

21. These accounts agree with the true histories in our books; for in them it is written that Nebuchadnezzar, in the eighteenth year of his reign, laid our temple desolate, and so it lay in that state of obscurity for fifty years; but that in the second year of the reign of Cyrus its foundations were laid, and it was finished again in the second year of Darius. I will now add the records of the Phoenicians; for it will not be superfluous to give the reader demonstrations more than enough on this occasion.

12

What Josephus Really Wrote about the 70 Years

by Ultimate Reality in

there have been some partial quotations of josephus on this board recently in relation to how he explained the '70 years'.. .

in the interests of scholastic honesty and so that his words are not taken out of context, here are some relevant passages with their context.

you might ask yourself, do the 70 years (as spoken by the prophet jeremiah) begin with the destruction of the temple or before the destruction of the temple?

Ultimate Reality

Josephus Antiquities 11.1.1:

IN the first year of the reign of Cyrus which was the seventieth from the day that our people were removed out of their own land into Babylon, God commiserated the captivity and calamity of these poor people, according as he had foretold to them by Jeremiah the prophet, before the destruction of the city, that after they had served Nebuchadnezzar and his posterity, and after they had undergone that servitude seventy years, he would restore them again to the land of their fathers, and they should build their temple, and enjoy their ancient prosperity. And these things God did afford them; for he stirred up the mind of Cyrus, and made him write this throughout all Asia: "Thus saith Cyrus the king: Since God Almighty hath appointed me to be king of the habitable earth, I believe that he is that God which the nation of the Israelites worship; for indeed he foretold my name by the prophets, and that I should build him a house at Jerusalem, in the country of Judea."

Against Apion:

19. I will now relate what hath been written concerning us in the Chaldean histories, which records have a great agreement with our books in oilier things also. Berosus shall be witness to what I say: he was by birth a Chaldean, well known by the learned, on account of his publication of the Chaldean books of astronomy and philosophy among the Greeks. This Berosus, therefore, following the most ancient records of that nation, gives us a history of the deluge of waters that then happened, and of the destruction of mankind thereby, and agrees with Moses's narration thereof. He also gives us an account of that ark wherein Noah, the origin of our race, was preserved, when it was brought to the highest part of the Armenian mountains; after which he gives us a catalogue of the posterity of Noah, and adds the years of their chronology, and at length comes down to Nabolassar, who was king of Babylon, and of the Chaldeans. And when he was relating the acts of this king, he describes to us how he sent his son Nabuchodonosor against Egypt, and against our land, with a great army, upon his being informed that they had revolted from him; and how, by that means, he subdued them all, and set our temple that was at Jerusalem on fire; nay, and removed our people entirely out of their own country, and transferred them to Babylon; when it so happened that our city was desolate during the interval of seventy years, until the days of Cyrus king of Persia. He then says, "That this Babylonian king conquered Egypt, and Syria, and Phoenicia, and Arabia, and exceeded in his exploits all that had reigned before him in Babylon and Chaldea." A little after which Berosus subjoins what follows in his History of Ancient Times. I will set down Berosus's own accounts, which are these: "When Nabolassar, father of Nabuchodonosor, heard that the governor whom he had set over Egypt, and over the parts of Celesyria and Phoenicia, had revolted from him, he was not able to bear it any longer; but committing certain parts of his army to his son Nabuchodonosor, who was then but young, he sent him against the rebel: Nabuchodonosor joined battle with him, and conquered him, and reduced the country under his dominion again. Now it so fell out that his father Nabolassar fell into a distemper at this time, and died in the city of Babylon, after he had reigned twenty-nine years. But as he understood, in a little time, that his father Nabolassar was dead, he set the affairs of Egypt and the other countries in order, and committed the captives he had taken from the Jews, and Phoenicians, and Syrians, and of the nations belonging to Egypt, to some of his friends, that they might conduct that part of the forces that had on heavy armor, with the rest of his baggage, to Babylonia; while he went in

What Josephus Really Wrote about the 70 Years

by Ultimate Reality in

see next post.... moderator, please delete this one..

Ultimate Reality

See next post...

Moderator, please delete this one.