Posts by LUKEWARM

*** lv pp. 219-221 The Bible's View on Divorce and Separation ***

Jehovah expects those who are married to remain faithful to the marriage vow. When uniting the first man and woman in marriage, Jehovah stated: "A man . . . must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh." Later, Jesus Christ repeated that statement and added: "Therefore, what God has yoked together let no man put apart." (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:3-6) Hence, Jehovah and Jesus view marriage as a lifelong bond that ends only when one partner dies. (1 Corinthians 7:39) Since marriage is a sacred arrangement, divorce is not to be taken lightly. In fact, Jehovah hates divorces that have no Scriptural basis.-Malachi 2:15, 16.

What forms a Scriptural basis for divorce? Well, Jehovah hates adultery and fornication. (Genesis 39:9; 2 Samuel 11:26, 27; Psalm 51:4) Indeed, he finds fornication so despicable that he allows it as grounds for divorce. (For a discussion of what fornication involves, refer to Chapter 9, paragraph 7, where fornication is explained.) Jehovah grants the innocent mate the right to decide whether to remain with the guilty partner or to seek a divorce. (Matthew 19:9) Hence, if an innocent mate decides to seek a divorce, that one does not take a step that Jehovah hates. At the same time, however, the Christian congregation does not encourage anyone to seek a divorce. In fact, some circumstances may move the innocent mate to remain with the guilty one, especially if that one is genuinely repentant. In the end, though, those who have a Scriptural basis for divorce must make their own decision and accept whatever consequences it may bring.-Galatians 6:5.

So we need to consult the WTS definition of fornication - the Bible is not sufficient enough?

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/102445/1/Elders-school-notes-Part-6-The-JW-Talmud-and-Trust-Us

In certain extreme situations, some Christians have decided to separate from or divorce a marriage mate even though that one has not committed fornication. In such a case, the Bible stipulates that the departing one "remain unmarried or else make up again." (1 Corinthians 7:11) Such a Christian is not free to pursue a third party with a view to remarriage. (Matthew 5:32) Consider here a few exceptional situations that some have viewed as a basis for separation.

Willful nonsupport. A family may become destitute, lacking the basic essentials of life, because the husband fails to provide for them, although being able to do so. The Bible states: "If anyone does not provide for . . . members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith." (1 Timothy 5:8) If such a man refuses to change his ways, the wife would have to decide whether she needs to protect her welfare and that of her children by obtaining a legal separation. Of course, Christian elders should give careful consideration to an accusation that a Christian refuses to support his family. Refusal to care for one's family may result in disfellowshipping.

Extreme physical abuse. An abusive spouse may act so violently that the abused mate's health and even life are in danger. If the abusive spouse is a Christian, congregation elders should investigate the charges. Fits of anger and a practice of violent behaviour are grounds for disfellowshipping.-Galatians 5:19-21.

Absolute endangerment of spiritual life. A spouse may constantly try to make it impossible for the mate to pursue true worship or may even try to force that mate to break God's commands in some way. In such a case, the threatened mate would have to decide whether the only way to "obey God as ruler rather than men" is to obtain a legal separation.-Acts 5:29.

If a mate does not agree with the WTS and tries to help the other party see the truth about the "truth," the other party can separate. The mate should be more loyal to WTS corporation than to their spouse! Where is that in the Bible?
In all cases involving such extreme situations as those just discussed, no one should put pressure on the innocent mate either to separate or to stay with the other. While spiritually mature friends and elders may offer support and Bible-based counsel, they cannot know all the details of what goes on between a husband and a wife. Only Jehovah can see that. Of course, a Christian wife would not be honouring God or the marriage arrangement if she exaggerated the seriousness of her domestic problems just to live separately from her husband, or vice versa. Jehovah is aware of any scheming behind a separation, no matter how one may try to hide it. Indeed, "all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting." (Hebrews 4:13) But if an extremely dangerous situation persists, no one should criticize a Christian who, as a last resort, chooses to separate. In the final analysis, "we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God."-Romans 14:10-12.

Bible-based counsel - so can they do so without the aid of WTS publications?

11

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-18-09 WT Study (HOPE)

by blondie in

jw
friends

unpublished documents, evidently written by isaac newton, that indicate he believed the world could end in 2060 ad.. (newton also had many other possible dates e.g 2034) [11].

13:43) how did the true knowledge become.

actually, until 1927 or so the wts taught that 1799 was the beginning of the "time of the end" not the 1914 the.

LUKEWARM

Another excellent piece of research and analysis - Thanks Blondie!!!!

24

Lukemia Witness dies due to lack of blood.....the horrific sad story.

by Witness 007 in

jw
friends

the nicest 41 year old brother i have ever met in my life, kind and helpful to all, goes for a routine blood test and finds he has lukemia.

everyone was in shock, he of course refused all blood products advised by doctors.

his blood cell count dropped dramatically and he began to suffer alot.

LUKEWARM

Thanks 007 - How did you know him? Were you in the same hall?

It's very sad indeed...in the prime of his life (in the process of building a house I understand) leaves behind a wife and 2 children. I got to know him personally after he migrated to Australia - he was indeed a gem of a man - positive about life, a caring loving husband/father and would always make you laugh!

I heard (3rd hand) doctor told him there was nothing he could do for him...No wonder considering the suddenness of the matter and the WTS false indoctrination that blood transfusions are against the law of God.

As Mary says, they are HEARTLESS BASTARDS who arrogantly believe they are the voice of God in all things, but have repeatedly demonstrated "teaching commands of men as doctrines" (Matt. 15:9) and "going beyond what is written" (1 Cor. 4:6) in the Bible.

They talk about Christendom having innocent blood on their hands, but they fail to see their own accountability before God for the unnecessary death of so many people who truly believed their claims to divine appointment and followed to the death the dictates as presented in latest The Watchtower magazine.

To all lurkers out there, please consider the contents of the below references so you are in a position to make an informed decision with a clean conscience on the matter of blood transfusions, namely:

(1) The Jensen blood letters (leaked letters of elder corresponding with the WTS over 5 years on the blood issue) towards the bottom of this page:

http://www.ajwrb.org/watchtower/index.shtml

(2) The chapter Ray Franz wrote on Blood in his second book

http://www.commentarypress.net/cpn-essays/English/4C648686-695D-48C7-ACA8-A52794ED6128_files/Search-Eng-Chap%209.2006.pdf

(3) Also of interest is this information:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/136144/1/Question-Why-was-it-ok-to-sell-unbled-meat-to-a-foriegner-for-them-to-eat

24

Lukemia Witness dies due to lack of blood.....the horrific sad story.

by Witness 007 in

jw
friends

the nicest 41 year old brother i have ever met in my life, kind and helpful to all, goes for a routine blood test and finds he has lukemia.

everyone was in shock, he of course refused all blood products advised by doctors.

his blood cell count dropped dramatically and he began to suffer alot.

LUKEWARM

I heard of a case in NSW - identical to the one you mention - died from Lukemia although I am unsure (yet) of the exact details of his stance towards bone marrow or the transplant of white blood cells.

His funeral was held in Sydney early last week - are we talking about the same person?

28

Watchtower says Millions Living in 1997 Will Never Die

by LUKEWARM in

jw
friends

"in the early 1920's, a featured public talk presented by jehovah's witnesses was entitled 'millions now living will never die.

' this may have reflected over-optimism at that time.

but today that statement can be made with full confidence.

LUKEWARM

"In the early 1920's, a featured public talk presented by Jehovah's Witnesses was entitled 'Millions Now Living Will Never Die.' This may have reflected over-optimism at that time. But today that statement can be made with full confidence." -- Watchtower 1997 January 1 p.11

Judging by their terrible record of any accuracy, its likely readers years from now will be reading similar back pedalling and spin doctoring. Imagine the Watchtower of January 1, 2086 on p.11 saying:

"In the early 2000's, Jehovah's Witnesses continued to live in expectation of the end and in their ministry zealously proclaimed that many then living would never die. This may have reflected over-optimism at that time. But today that campaign can be carried out with full confidence!"

91

Is the WTS compromising its stand towards preaching? Our kingdom Ministry 2009, Question Box

by LUKEWARM in

jw
friends

on page 3 the question box asks: what should you do if directed to stop preaching?.

the answer?

"in some instances, police have approached publishers who were sharing in some form of the ministry, informed them that they were violating the law, and directed them to stop.

LUKEWARM

On page 3 the Question Box asks: What should you do if directed to stop preaching?

The answer?

"In some instances, police have approached publishers who were sharing in some form of the ministry, informed them that they were violating the law, and directed them to stop. You should promptly and politely leave the territory if directed to do so. (Mat 5:41; Phil 4:5) Do not try to resolve matters on your own or by getting involved in a discussion about our legal rights. If it is possible, tactfully obtain the name and identification number of the police officer and the police station to which he is attached. Thereafter, promptly inform the elders, who will then contact the branch office about the incident. Similarly, if you are asked to leave a shopping centre, car park area, or apartment building or complex by the supervisor or representative, you should comply immediately and inform the elders. A mild and humble manner of dealing with those in authority can do much to prevent unnecessary difficulties. - Prov. 15:1; Rom. 12:18."

So if a JW is engaged in this life saving work, supposedly commissioned by Jesus himself and directed by God, but some human authority directs them to stop, they "should comply immediately" and need to "promptly and politely leave the territory"!

Are they watering down their previous die-hard stand? What happened to following the example of the Apostles?

June 15, 2008, pages 18-22, par3
"As Christians, we take a position different from that of the world. It is not that we blindly do whatever we are told. On the contrary, at times we must refuse to submit to the will of others even if they have positions of authority. This was also true of first century Christians. For instance, when the apostles were ordered to stop preaching, they did not cave in to the high priest and other authority figures who were part of the Sanhedrin. They did not abandon right conduct in order to conform to human authority.-Read Acts 5:27-29."