Spike Tassel

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Posts by Spike Tassel

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  148

  "Remember, nobody can REALLY love you unless they know and love Jehovah first."

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  "unless they know and love jehovah first.

  they love "jehovah".

  they discuss how to make sure that though they are in charge, everyone doesn't see them, they see the great and powerful jehovah.... oh.

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  Spike Tassel

  within the social context of the Topic (a.k.a. thread), that is my aim.
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  126

  PROVE that Jehovah's Witnesses have the "Truth".

  by undercover in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  minimus started a thread asking people to prove that jws don't have the truth.... but, instead of proving they don't, i'd like to see someone prove that the witnesses do have the truth.. this is your thread jw apologists....convince me why you have the truth.. to all you apostates and nay-sayers, please allow the apologists to have their say without harrassing them.

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  Spike Tassel

  Since Jesus Christ follows Jehovah as Jehovah's foremost Witness, all are wise to join in that loyalist stand, or rejoin as the case may be.

  We each prove that Jehovah's Witnesses have the "Truth" by living out the Bible's applications, to the glory of Jehovah God, our Universal Sovereign.
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  111

  where do the refinements come from?, and why do you answer thus?

  by Spike Tassel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  bluecanary asks [with emphasis mine]:.

  in the past when god's chosen leader acted without his blessing, god corrected the individual/group in an obvious and miraculous way.

  why does it appear, then, that when the gb is "adjusted" it comes from external sources, such as the 1914 generation dying off, or races integrating nationwide.

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  Spike Tassel

  If even a "false prophet" reconciles with Jehovah, that "false prophet" can be forgiven by Jehovah. Who are any of us (mere mortals) have a right to question Jehovah's forgiveness? Surely it is never "right" to be lippy to Jehovah.
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  117

  Imperfection is irrelevant. Who has the right to rule?

  by bluecanary in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  we started this discussion on another thread, but i didn't want to derail the topic at hand.

  here's where we stand so far:.

  reniaa:.

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  Spike Tassel

  "Perfection" means acting thoroughly and even-handedly, in one context; but, it also varies depending on capacity. The capacity of Jesus as a "perfect" man was based on a different quality of knowledge and abilities than that of the "imperfect" (i.e. sinners), including us. Thus, the difference between our knowledge and abilities post-Millenium (resulting from the blotting out of our sins completely, by the time of our being granted "everlasting life" when Satan and his horde "die the second death") versus prior to that.
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  177

  New World Translation, is it the best bible translation?

  by littlebuddy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  my jw elder friend said to me that the nwt is the best translation of the bible and that scholars have said as much.

  is this true and is it the best?

  are there scholars who disagree?.

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  Spike Tassel

  ?
• 
  148

  "Remember, nobody can REALLY love you unless they know and love Jehovah first."

  by AllTimeJeff in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  "unless they know and love jehovah first.

  they love "jehovah".

  they discuss how to make sure that though they are in charge, everyone doesn't see them, they see the great and powerful jehovah.... oh.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spike Tassel

  it looks like this Topic has the wrong title, if I REALLY am a "troll" on this Topic (a.k.a. thread). On the other hand, according to what I've seen in Forum practice, we each have the right to respond to others' comments, surely, and not JUST the Topic. After all, this whole Forum is an exercise in socialisation, and in freedom of sharing all of our unique perspectives, even if only some will understand or appreciate our particular sentiments.
• 
  126

  PROVE that Jehovah's Witnesses have the "Truth".

  by undercover in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  minimus started a thread asking people to prove that jws don't have the truth.... but, instead of proving they don't, i'd like to see someone prove that the witnesses do have the truth.. this is your thread jw apologists....convince me why you have the truth.. to all you apostates and nay-sayers, please allow the apologists to have their say without harrassing them.

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  Spike Tassel

  to passwordprotected: the term "Jehovah's Witnesses" come from an application Isaiah 43:10.

  to wobble: The subheading Blessings to Mankind in General in the Insight article MEDIATOR gives a balanced presentation:— While Jesus' mediatorship operates solely toward those in the new covenant, he is also God's High Priest and the Seed of Abraham. … There are, thus, others, not of the 144,000 "sealed" ones who also pray to Jehovah God in the name of Christ, putting faith in the merit of this ransom sacrifice.

  It may also be said that the spiritual light in 2009, from which we can see light, is even brighter than the light of 1988, when the Insight volumes were copyrighted.

  Jehovah delivers the whole congregation by means of Jesus Christ. By extension, this congregation includes the Bible studies and return visits and preaching work accomplished by JWs worldwide. Even the disfellowshipped are delivered as they are reinstated and accepted, by their acknowledgement of Christ's sacrifice on their behalf, and putting Jehovah's issues above their own, even as Jesus Christ had to do also, thus he desired that Jehovah's Will take place, in preference to even Christ's own will.

  to jookbeard: Unity and healthful teaching are required by the Holy Writ, not just by JWs. A rebellious spirit is NOT a spirit of holiness, yet we all MUST become holy as Jehovah is holy.

  to The Almighty Homer: "false" is a double-edged sword. The golden rule is quite handy here.
• 
  111

  where do the refinements come from?, and why do you answer thus?

  by Spike Tassel in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  bluecanary asks [with emphasis mine]:.

  in the past when god's chosen leader acted without his blessing, god corrected the individual/group in an obvious and miraculous way.

  why does it appear, then, that when the gb is "adjusted" it comes from external sources, such as the 1914 generation dying off, or races integrating nationwide.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spike Tassel

  Jehovah uses WT controls to refine. Whether we actually become refined, that depends upon our earnest efforts to reconcile with Jehovah as required.
• 
  117

  Imperfection is irrelevant. Who has the right to rule?

  by bluecanary in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  we started this discussion on another thread, but i didn't want to derail the topic at hand.

  here's where we stand so far:.

  reniaa:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Spike Tassel

  bluecanary (Post 666):— How would you define human perfection? Is it an ideal standard or a description of the highest standard yet attained? How would perfection be manifest? Is perfection compatible with free will?

  Spike Tassel (Post 1589):— Matthew 5:48's NWT Reference Bible footnote shows "complete" as the alternative rendering for "perfect". Matthew 5:43-48 shows that this perfection is in loving our enemies just as we love those who are not, just as Jehovah makes His sun rise upon both wicked and good as well as makes it rain upon both righteous and unrighteous. I see it as the ideal to always strive for. The exercise of perfection is a free will choice, whether by Jehovah or by any of us, in this context.

  bluecanary (Post 666):— Is it possible that, as he did in the past, God speaks through multiple individuals or entities today? What are the criteria for determining whom God has spoken to?

  Spike Tassel (Post 1589):— Whoever is even-handed and righteous in their understanding and application of love and its prophetic statements, and holy in their motives is Jehovah's representative, whether as an individual, as a family, as a congregation, or as a brotherhood. The Bible sets the criteria in these matters.

  bluecanary (Post 666):— If someone claims to be acting in accord with God's spirit, is it unreasonable, then, to hold their actions, as a group, to a higher standard? Is God incapable of overcoming human imperfection to get correct information disseminated?

  Spike Tassel (Post 1589):—Actions speak louder than words. So, our spirit of holiness as borne out in our individual dealings must be in agreement with Jehovah's spirit of holiness, as found in the Bible. It is reasonable to deal with each of us individually, according to our circumstances. With Jehovah, all things are possible, which suggests that we can all receive the correct understanding insofar as Jehovah's holy spirit bears witness with our spirit.

  bluecanary (Post 666):— How many doctrines must a religion get right in order to prove that they have God's backing? How many are they allowed to get wrong?

  Spike Tassel (Post 1589):—The footnote at 2 Kings 17:26 shows that "religion" is translated from the Hebrew word "mishpát", which can also be rendered "judgment; judicial decision". Jehovah's judgments apply, depending on circumstances, to us as individuals, as families, as congregations, as a brotherhood, or according to other groupings: all based upon the principle that as we have sown, so shall we reap, whether to the flesh (with corruption in view), or the spirit (with everlasting life in view). Religion, thus, is NOT one-size-fits-all; we DON'T all have the same load to carry; some loads are individual, some are assigned by family, some by congregation, some by other groupings.

  "Doctrines" is also translated "teachings", which should all be in accord with the spirit of the Holy Scriptures, and fitting a wholistic view of the circumstances to which the teachings are applied.

  It follows that compliance is required regarding all of Jehovah's judicial decisions, by all parties. Repentance and contrition are required, in accord with Jehovah's headship protocols, to gain/ regain favour before Jehovah. The example of Job praying on behalf of the 3 wrongful accusers demonstrates this point, to the benefit of all involved.

  bluecanary (Post 666):— What are the criteria for determining which doctrines are the most important to get correct?

  Spike Tassel (Post 1589):—Of course, fundamental to all of this is Christ's directive to love Jehovah whole-souled, and our neighbour (including our enemy) as ourself.

  Hebrews 6:1-2 discusses primary doctrine about the Christ as one's foundation, in these words (I've underlined the key expressions):— For this reason, now that we have left the primary doctrine about the Christ, let ups press on to maturity, not laying a foundation again, namely, repentance from dead works, and faith toward God, 2 the teaching on baptisms and the laying on of the hands, the resurrection of the dead and everlasting judgment.

  There are a number of prohibitions, which have the penalty of disfellowshipping, etc., including the penalty of the second death. These prohibitions must be correctly understood and respected, as demonstrated by our life course and decisions.

  And, we must not forget the mention at Acts 15:28-29 regarding regardgin the following necessary things:— to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled (or, killed without draining its blood), and from fornication.

  Really, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is true when it states that:— All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.

  Jesus prayed regarding "all flesh", "the whole [number] whom you [i.e. Jehovah] have given him [i.e. Jesus Christ], [that] he may give them everlasting life. This means everlasting life, their [i.e. our] taking in knowledge of you [i.e. Jehovah], the only true God, and of the one who you sent forth, Jesus Christ.

  bluecanary (Post 666):— How do you choose if two or more religions teach the same correct doctrines?

  Spike Tassel (Post 1589):—if two sets of judicial decisions teach the same correct points, then we choose by our obedient understanding and applications, as our spirit of holiness approaches Jehovah's, in the manner of James 4:8, which is recorded thus:— Draw close to God, and he will draw close to YOU. Clease YOUR hands, YOU sinners, and purify YOUR hearts, YOU indecisive (or, two-souled) ones.
• 
  177

  New World Translation, is it the best bible translation?

  by littlebuddy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  my jw elder friend said to me that the nwt is the best translation of the bible and that scholars have said as much.

  is this true and is it the best?

  are there scholars who disagree?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  Spike Tassel

  Lillith26 makes a number of very controversial claims, which require due diligence