Posts by Inkie

44

Have you answered the knock on your door?

by Inkie in

jw
friends

have you answered the knock on your door?.

[b]e like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.luke 12:36.. .

behold, i stand at the door and [song 5:2 ] knock.

Inkie

Hello Inkie, thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions and going into detail about your life's journey. Your story is quite convincing I must admit.

Not a problem at all. Happy to oblige you. And, yes, what I stated is the truth of my life.

It seems your ideas did not develop overnight because of some "emotion", but is based upon lots of research.

Yes, I researched a whole heck of a lot. At one time I had a vast library of the Society’s literature going back to the 1800s. I had just about every publication you can think of.

As you must have noticed in other treads, I indeed also see it is quite easy to refute many doctrines of the JW with their own NWT and publications.

Yes, like you, I’ve discovered that it really isn’t all that hard to do—if you’re a thinking person and will to do a bit of research.

Although waking up is a very liberating event, it is quite scary in the same time to discover my faith was mostly in a human organization and not in God,

Liberating, yes! But just prior to liberating was the cognitive dissonance that rattles the brain for a bit. Once you work through that there is “liberation.” And discovering that I put my “trust” (not my faith) in an earthly organization was sad. I can honestly say that I always had faith in God and Christ, but sad to say I also put my “trust” in earthling man. I am reminded of that biblical text which says: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man,to whom no salvation belongs. . . .”? (Psalm 146:3) And how many times have we heard that verse inside the Kingdom Hall? How many times? And yet, we did it anyway, didn’t we. Even when we were told not to do such a thing. We did it anyway. Whom can we blame? How many times have we heard that? And yet I did that. Not ever again.

in fact, when it all became clear, very little faith in God is left, although some remained.

Sad to say, Hoffnung, this is what happens to so many many people. In all of my life’s journey I never lost faith in God or Christ—regardless of what happened in my life. I always knew they were there for me—always. I never doubted their existence or their love. It was earthling man who got in the way. It was earthling man who disappoints. I am genuinely glad that you have retained some faith. Hoffnung, trust that faith. Continue using what faith you do have and allow it to grow and ask for more faith from those who give it—God and Christ. I am a human creature, Hoffnung. Do not trust me—trust in God and in His Son. At some point I time, I will disappoint—God and Christ won’t.

It is not so nice to realize I have to start almost from scratch,

Don’t we all—really? Didn’t Paul have to start from scratch when he had is conversion experience on the way to Damascus? We all have to start from scratch, Hoffnung—everyone of us.

and hindered by some wrong conceived ideas that are still lingering in my head.

Again, don’t we all?

Can you elaborate a little bit on where Paul is contradicting Jesus in the bible?

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that Paul contradicts Jesus. More accurately, I meant if Paul (or anybody else for that matter) contradicted Jesus, whom would you choose to believe and trust?

And also I would like to know if some discussions on the other forum are still available for research.

I don’t know if they are. Perhaps someone else here on this board might let us know.

How was your anointing experience in February 2001? Can you try to describe that?

Yes, I will describe it for you. What I posted before can be found here:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/198473/1/For-those-who-were-partakers

I wrote the following (my brackets below are my current edits for more clarifation):

“ My spirit within me kept on telling that I should [partake]. My spirit within me kept telling me that I was a son of God. The various versions of the Bibles that I read said so and I believed it with my entire being for a very long time--years. Yet, the Society and the brothers kept telling me this was not so and it couldn’t be so, and so I better not partake. I was not worthy they told me. As I questioned the teachings of the Society more and more, I came to see that what they were teaching was not true, not truth. I was told on a few occasions that I should not speak about Jesus. Made me shake my head. I was told that what I was feeling couldn’t possibly be true as God was no longer calling the anointed class [the Society has since changed their teaching on this], that He had stopped doing that long ago. While I didn’t believe them, because of the verses I read in the Bible, I forced myself to acquiesce to their directives. Not easy. Funny, I became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses BECAUSE of the Society’s publication Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God. That little red book with the gold-edged pages spoke of the Sons of God throughout its pages and as I read that book, that book, the things written in it, [it] was speaking TO me. This was before I was baptized. But in voicing to the elders my belief and conviction that I was a son of God, the elders and regular brothers and sisters told me over and over that this was not the case. Now, mind you, I did not brazenly tout my belief to the brothers, it was only when the subject came up by them and when they directed their questions to me that I admitted the truth of my belief and convictions. I did not publicize it to brag in any sort of way. I just told the truth when I was asked about it.

They made me doubt my belief and conviction of what I was, who I was, for [many, many] years.

Finally, [I reached a point where] I no longer could deny it. The first time I partook was on Memorial night back in 1999; however, I did it in a cowardly way. I was afraid that I might be disfellowshipped for doing so. Two other brothers and I met in one of their private homes and we three partook there. It was good to partake. It felt totally right. The next year (2000) I partook in the middle of the congregation and it was SO right! I was no longer afraid of men or what they could or would do to me. They did nothing.

Please know that just because I partook did not mean that I didn’t question my belief or conviction because of them. I continued to question it because of the indoctrination of the brothers and the Society’s teachings [for all those years].

THEN . . .

One night in February 2001 (I can’t remember the exact date), I came home from work deeply deeply troubled and distraught. [Hoffnung, I guess my emotions at times were greatly involved.] I went upstairs to my bedroom. The family was downstairs in the den eating and watching television. I was alone. I threw myself upon the bed and began in earnest my prayer to Jah. It was a prayer, a long prayer, filled with deep emotion and sincerity, filled with weeping and petitions [that] I was making known to God. I don’t think that I’ve ever prayed like that, in this manner, to God before or since, and I have prayed earnestly many times. I begged Him to tell me whether I was a “son” or not. I told Jah that I needed to know this. If I wasn’t a son, fine. So be it. But I needed to know either way. The mental and emotional fight I was in, going back and forth, because of the Society’s teaching and because of the things I read in the Bible thoroughly confused me and did me emotional [and mental] turmoil. It wasn’t a short prayer by any means. It was like the Bible describes when it says with “strong outcries and tears,” this prayer that I was praying was like that.

Suddenly, at some point during the prayer, [I lifted myself up upon my elbows as I was previously lying prostrate upon the bed, lifted my head, continuing in prayer, and] as I looked about the room, the bedroom began to undulate; no, not really the room—but rather, the air in the room; no, rather, more accurately, the “space” within the room began to undulate and swirl about the room around me. I was totally awake and watching it happen before my very physical eyes. I lay their prone on top of the bed having raised myself up on my elbows watching what was occurring. The “undulating space” swirled all about me and then began to enter me and it permeated me—my entire body. I watched and felt this. And as it swirled about the room and entered me and exited me and entered me and exited me and I felt such an incredible [phenomenal] peace. I am not kidding. Such an incredible peace AND received the knowledge that—Yes! Indeed, I was a son of God! After a while, I do not remember how long this occurrence lasted but when it was finished, as I said, I felt such incredible PEACE. Unlike anything I have [ever] experienced before. And my spirit bore witness to me that I was indeed a son of God. I NOW KNEW THIS and no one can take it away from me ever. Not only that, but for an entire month from this event, wherever I went, whatever I did, whomever I was with, for an entire month that PEACE STAYED WITH ME. After a month, it dissipated slowly and left. But I knew what I needed to know and ever since I have never questioned my sonship again.

I have partaken ever since and will continue to do so until our Lord arrives. ”

Thank you for your time.

You’re very welcome.

Just one other bit I did appreciate, I think it is in another thread, it is where you show that by the use and glorification of the name Jesus, Jehovah is glorified as well, as Jesus means 'Jehovah is salvation' (which is better in hebrew of course) and this explains why the name Jehovah or the tetragrammaton is completely absent in the Ancient Greek Manuscripts, and there is no reason to use that name any more as an identifying mark. Proving the Witnesses to be wrong once more.

What you state here is true. But, just know, that God’s name is not Jehovah. It is Jah. The NWT even so states. The name of his son is Jaheshua. These are Hebrew names.

Hoffnung, I hope that I have answered your questions to your satisfaction.

--Inkie

44

Have you answered the knock on your door?

by Inkie in

jw
friends

have you answered the knock on your door?.

[b]e like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.luke 12:36.. .

behold, i stand at the door and [song 5:2 ] knock.

Inkie

Hi NobeLodge: Thank you for your very kind words. I totally get what you stated too. The "struggling" we do has ended, hasn't it. And that is so wonderful. May Jab bless. --Inkie

28

Questions for Doubtfully yours or Elpiro - The happy annointed Jehovah's Witness

by Hoffnung in

jw
friends

hello doubtfully yours or el piro or other happy jw,.

there are 4 questions for you.

1. the issue i have is with paragraphs 1 & 8 of the study article on page 21 of the 15/09/2010 watchtower.

Inkie

Hoffnung: While I understand the reason for your questions, I do believe that you already know the answers to them (forgive me if I am in error). True anointed ones (also known as Christians) have only one leader—the Christ. Enough said on that one.

You also wrote:

2. Jesus commanded all christians to participate from the bread and the wine during the memorial, this command was repeated by Paul, and in John 6:53 and surrounding verses, Jesus made it an absolute condition for salvation. So why are JW teaching that you should abstain? Is this not barring the access to salvation?

I do believe you answered your own question. Yes, John 6:48-58 are extremely important statements made by Christ, especially verses 51, 53, and 54.

As for the dates question, the dates are really a non-issue. But . . . the Society’s chronology hinges on them. Thus their need to uphold them with their theological scaffolding. Otherwise, their house of cards crumbles.

As for your question on blood, your statement that “The bible is completely silent on the subject” is most relevant. The Society forbids—continues to forbid—because this one will crumble too if they don’t shore it up. How many people have died because of this doctrine? They have to shore it up.

--Inkie

44

Have you answered the knock on your door?

by Inkie in

jw
friends

have you answered the knock on your door?.

[b]e like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.luke 12:36.. .

behold, i stand at the door and [song 5:2 ] knock.

Inkie

Hoffnung: I will attempt to answer you last three questions. You asked:

What was your journey in life before you got to this point?

All of my life, since my earliest recollections, I have been searching for God and Christ. My mother was the first to teach me about God and Christ. Then the Catholic Church taught me when I went to grade school and church at St. Anthony’s in Oakland, California, then at St. John’s in San Lorenzo, California. I often asked questions of the priests and the nuns and while they answered some of my questions to the best of their ability, they did not always answer to my satisfaction. I have always loved God and Christ since my earliest days. Then, one day I arrived home from school and my mother was entertaining an elderly lady (a witness) who was teaching her the Bible. She was very excited to be learning the things she was and asked me to sit in on her study. I did. What the witness lady said was extremely interesting and it was things that I had never heard before (of course), and she used her Bible to prove her statements. Of course, this was just a cursory overview that had anybody actually read the Bible, one would know. But I had not read the Bible and so all of this was new to me. After several studies, the witness lady transferred me over to a young brother who started to study with him and I learned a lot of things that I did not know. I was delighted to learn of these things and I did not know. You must realize that my belief in God and Christ was quite strong, my trust in them was quite strong, according to my limited knowledge of them. I never doubted they existed. I never doubted they cared for me. And while I was studying with the witnesses and began to attend their meetings, a strange thing occurred. They told me I was not a son of God (which heretofore I had always believed I was). That only the anointed were sons of God and that I was not one of the anointed. That was the first glitch to occur for me. However, I continued studying. The belief or disbelief, as the case may be, always stuck in the back of my mind while I continued studying. I got baptized. Then, about a year after, a witness family began studying and reading the Bible without the help of the Society’s literature. It was one of the best times I have ever had and I remember it fondly. Just reading the Bible alone was fantastic. But it didn’t go well for that family. The brothers eventually disfellowshiped all of them. And they came after me and tried to get me to spy on them, to report back to them of the goings on, and they eventually threatened me too with being disfellowshiped. Being young, inexperienced, and new to this kind of thing, I was afraid. I withdrew from my friends (to my eventual regret) and remained in the congregation. They were disfellowshiped. The ensuing years followed and I married and raised a family all the while asking questions of the elders. Finally, as a grown man, I got tired of trusting men to say what was truth and what wasn’t. I prayed to God through Christ and ask that I be shown the truth. I read the Bible on my own, continued to ask questions, to the chagrin and sometimes anger of the elders. I began to write to the Society for answers to those questions. Initially they responded quite favorable but after a while they stopped. I think they got tired of me. I continued writing, but now I always “cc’d” (courtesy copied) the Body of Elders so that they would know exactly what it was I was asking and so that I could not get in trouble as though I were doing something behind their backs. Finally I stopped writing them and continued on with my own Bible studying and readings. I learned a lot that was different from the Society’s teachings using their very own New World Translation. Their own Bible contradicted their teachings. I began to fade—some. Because my family was still in. All the years that I questioned things, I told my family what I was doing, what I was researching, etc. I did not want them ignorant of what I was doing. When ever people asked them questions (and they did), my wife at the time, or my son, or my brothers and sisters, would say: Ask Inkie, but you better be specific with what you ask him because he will tell you the answer to your question. He will tell you: The Society teaches such and so. But the Bible says this or that. Finally, people would ask me: Inkie, what does the Bible say about such and so? And then they’d ask: And what does the Society teach? During my fade, my employer, as a gift, bought me my first home computer. Wow! What a world it opened up for me. I communicated with people (witness and non-witnesses) all over the world. I communicated with people with stable and orthodox views and some that were extremely strange. All the while, regardless of who they were or what they believed and taught I maintained my respect and kindness for them. The one thing I wanted was not to be lied to deliberately or unknowingly. So I was very careful—VERY! I then met someone online in the predecessor form to this one (H2O) that said some very very interesting things. Things that I could not refute and that were backed up by what the Bible said. Anything that was stated that I did not or could not initially grasp, I put on the “back burner” of my mind for further contemplation. But what this person said on the forum and to me personally because we began a correspondence was always proven by the biblical text. I could not deny it: the statement stated and the biblical text to prove it. Then, after much correspondence, much telephone conversation, much personal face to face conversation, I tried what was suggested to me. Speak to the Christ and listen. I did so. I also prayed to God through his Christ with such fervent petitioning that I was astounded when I received an anointing in February of 2001. (I posted about this event on another thread. I can’t remember now which one it was.) I have since received our Lord’s knock and doorbell ringing on a number of occasions. Some I answered and some I didn’t. From now on, I do. My Lord, Jaheshua, and whom most know as Jesus Christ, does speak to me. He answers me and he gives me the things I ask for. I have found that I NO LONGER need to search for them for I have been found by them.

What are the non-emotional parts of your faith?

I’m not sure I understand your question here. My “non-emotional” parts? How does one separate one’s emotions from one’s self—one’s life. I will attempt to answer. While I recognize that I am an emotional creature, I do not believe that I am emotion per se. My mind is very involved in my life. Intellectually, I believe in the existence of God and Christ. No emotion there. I believe they love me and care for me. No emotion there. When I communicate with them, I am heartfelt and sincere. Maybe some emotion there. When what I learn or what things happen to me as a result of my belief and worship, this can be very emotional. Is this what you mean?

How do you live your faith and what changes did you make?

Aaahhh . . . I decided—DECIDED—to believe and trust the words of my Lord. Whether they be found in the Bible as the things he stated or whether I personally hear them myself with my “spiritual” ears. That’s a big change for me. While I always believed the words of Christ as written in the Bible, looking back, I can honestly say they I may not have necessarily trusted them. I do now. Whatever Christ has said, I believe and strive to live by, to the chagrin of many and especially to the chagrin of my former elders, etc.

I live my faith by trusting the words of my Lord. I pray throughout the day, I speak to my Lord (and listen to him) throughout the day. I share what I know to those sent to me and those who ask of me. While I am not sinless, I strive to refrain from sinning. I am more generous than I have ever been in my life. And there is still room for improvement.

I no longer live by men’s rules. I live my life by those of my Lord.

Hoffnung, does this help, does this answer your questions sufficiently?

--Inkie

44

Have you answered the knock on your door?

by Inkie in

jw
friends

have you answered the knock on your door?.

[b]e like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.luke 12:36.. .

behold, i stand at the door and [song 5:2 ] knock.

Inkie

DP:

You may be slow, but at least you finally got it right. Good for you! (Applause)

Awen,

I am so glad and grateful for your post. Believe me, in this desert at JWN, the few like you who make your presence known are like an oasis that appears in a parched land. It is wonderful to meet here another brother in Christ.

While I too understand the pain the Society has caused in the “brotherhood” so to speak, like you, I too “do not understand the hatred, ridicule and mistreatment of the posters here on this board who are simply sharing their experiences.” While this board is supposedly a support board, like witnesses still in the organization, unless you believe like them there’s not much in the way of support. The operative phrase you use—“any loving person would not stomp on an injured person”—is key. The people who behave so poorly here lack that loving kindness. It is so self-evident as to be shockingly brazen.

I thank you most sincerely for your kind support. May Jah bless and His Christ continue to shine upon you. Blessings.

--Inkie

Hi Hoffnung,

I totally get your skepticism. If there is one thing I hate too it is being lied to.

If you choose to read the New Testament to learn about the teachings of Jesus as well as learn more about him, then, my advice to you is, read the words the Master himself spoke. Read them carefully. Believe them. Trust them. Most of his words are found in the gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and especially John). Any other statement found in the rest of the New Testament which contradicts what our Lord said cannot be trusted (for a number of reasons. Later on that.) For example, If our Lord said something and you read that Paul said something different that contradicts what our Lord stated. Whom are you going to believe? Paul? Or Christ? That decision is yours to make. (My choice? I’d go with what my Lord stated.)

But there’s a better way, Hoffnung. And don’t take my word for it. Find out for yourself. What is that better way? Asking him. After all, did he not instruct us to ask him? Yes, indeed he did. He said to ask him. (See below.) Our Lord wants us to communicate with him. Go to him. Converse with him and listen. He will respond. He will engage you. Put what little faith you might perceive you have asking for more faith to be able to hear, to be able to listen, so that you will hear him when he does engage you. The following are just a few his words about asking him:

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have ask ed him, and he would have given you living water."—John 4:10.

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.—John 14:13.

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.—John 14:14.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.—John 15:17.

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask , and you will receive, that your joy may be full.—John 16:24.

And finally,

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Exercise faith in God, exercise faith also in me . —John 14:1.

Some translations read:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me . —John 14:1.

As for your latter three questions, I will post presently, but it will take me a day or two. All the best, Hoffnung.

May Jah bless. Your brother in Christ.

--Inkie

44

Have you answered the knock on your door?

by Inkie in

jw
friends

have you answered the knock on your door?.

[b]e like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.luke 12:36.. .

behold, i stand at the door and [song 5:2 ] knock.

Inkie

No, DP. (Shaking head.) It's not God who is knocking on the door. It is Jaheshua. Jaheshua is the one who wants to come and take the evening meal with us.

44

Have you answered the knock on your door?

by Inkie in

jw
friends

have you answered the knock on your door?.

[b]e like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.luke 12:36.. .

behold, i stand at the door and [song 5:2 ] knock.

Inkie

Grandma Jones,

Thank you for the apology. No offense has been taken, just so you know. In posting what I posted, I knew that there would be ‘ridiculers with their ridicule.’ It’s to be expected, is it not?

To Others:

I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family. I have always believed in Almighty God and his Son. I remember once asking my Catholic mother if she would teach me the Bible. The expression on her face when I asked her that question, I still can see. It was a look of disappointment because she could not teach me the Bible as she did not know it. When the witnesses came around, she fell hook, line, and sinker for it. She got all us children into the Organization. We were in it for years. However, at the time of my studying and learning about the Bible from the witnesses, I remember that my studying was a searching. It was a searching for God and Christ—a searching for wanting to come to know them. I studied and learned about ‘life everlasting in the freedom of the sons of god.’ When I studied and became baptized, I knew even then that I was a son of God. At some point, however, the witnesses took away my “sonship” with their teachings. Sad to say, I let them. For years I struggled with their teaching of me not being a son of God.

Anyway, to make a long story short, all the years that I was a witness, all those years were still a “searching for God and Christ.” And because of that continuing search, I have left the Organization, because of continuing that search.

I no longer need to “search” for them. Why? Because they—Jah and Jaheshua—have found me.

I have posted on this board about my anointing experience back on February of 2001. I no longer doubt who and what I am or what my hope is. I know because I have come to be known by Jah and his Christ.

When I speak of “my Lord” I am referring to Jaheshua the Son of God/Jah. When I speak of “Jah” I am referring to the Almighty Sovereign or as Shelby often writes, the Most Holy One of Israel.

My questions to your ridiculers are these: Why were YOU ever a witness? Seriously. Why? Were you in just because your parents were? While you were in were you REALLY in search of God and Christ? Seriously. Why did you claim to be Christians if you did not really care to be one? Did not being witnesses teach you something of the goodness of God? How we should behave and act toward others? Why are many of you so hateful? Why do you behave with such scorn and derision of others? If you did search for God and Christ, what stopped you from searching further? What stopped you from continuing your search? Was your being a witness merely a pretense for a pretext? Because the Society fooled you (us, for it fooled me too for a time), why have you turned away from God and his Christ? Was your seeming search for God a sham?

Seriously.

--Inkie

44

Have you answered the knock on your door?

by Inkie in

jw
friends

have you answered the knock on your door?.

[b]e like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.luke 12:36.. .

behold, i stand at the door and [song 5:2 ] knock.

Inkie

And here we go . . .

Babyruth: You're such a sweet candy. And batting a thousand, I'm sure--not.

By the way, do you have trouble reading? I did not say that God spoke to me. Thus my question, do you have trouble reading?

44

Have you answered the knock on your door?

by Inkie in

jw
friends

have you answered the knock on your door?.

[b]e like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.luke 12:36.. .

behold, i stand at the door and [song 5:2 ] knock.

Inkie

Have you answered the knock on your door?

[B]e like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knock s.—Luke 12:36.

Behold, I stand at the door and [Song 5:2 ] knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.—Revelation 3:20.

While I have often hear my Lord speak to me and with me, I haven’t heard the knock on my front door for quite a number of months now. Recently, about a week and a half ago I was upstairs in bed (at the point between sleeping and being awake) when I heard a knock on my front door. As I said, I hadn’t heard the knock in some time. Upon hearing it, I thought to myself and uttered the question in my mind to him: “Is that you, Lord?” to which I heard, “Yes.” I said, “Wait just a minute. I’ll be right down.”

I then got up out of my cozy warm bed, walked down two flights of stairs, walked through the hallway, through the dining room, through the living room, to my front door. I opened the peep hole (3” x 3”) and saw no one at all, but asked: “Is that you, Lord?” to which he again said and I heard, “Yes.”

I closed the peep hole, unlocked the front door, stepped back and opened the front door wide and said, “Please Lord, do come in.” After a moment, allowing him time to enter (as I perceived it), I closed the door and went back up to bed.

This latest visit was a pleasant surprise as I haven’t been visited by him, in this way, in quite some time. He used to come visit quite frequently when I first began to hear and listen to him. Now that I have been eating and drinking regularly each evening for quite some time now, he hasn’t visited until just recently. It was a most welcomed visit.

That’s all. Just thought I’d share.

--Inkie

54

Where do you go from here?

by still looking in

after either being a witness or studying with them, and you find out stuff that has you leave, where do you go?

i don't think they are the true religion, but i do think they teach a lot of stuff that is correct.

like the trinity being a false doctrine, no idle worship, including crosses, and hell isn't a forever torture.

Inkie

Still:

You know what’s interesting? Many people, even many people on this Board, use the narrative about Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac as a means of being angry at and condemning God for asking such a request (that of killing his son). What’s also interesting is the biblical FACT that Jah never intended for the deed to be carried out. The Bible states this. God only asked it of one person—Abraham—and even then it was only a test to see if Abraham would comply. And at the moment of compliance to said request, God prevented it from being carried out by one of his angels. It was a test for Abraham. God has never asked it of anyone ever again. That narrative was a symbolic drama or allegory, so to speak, of what He, God, was going to do for us—sacrifice His son. Christ basically said, when you look at him you pretty see God. As a matter of fact, it is stated that Christ is the “exact representation” of God’s being. The question follows: Would Christ instruct others to kill someone, anyone, AND have it be carried out? From what you already know about the person of Christ, I think you will answer, No. And if Christ wouldn’t, then neither would, and in reading the narrative, neither did God. So then, when you hear of know of people who say or said they hear voices telling them to kill someone—YOU KNOW it is not coming from God or Christ. And remember too, that we (Christians who have indeed received holy spirit) have been instructed to “test” the inspired utterances to see if they “originate with God.” You “test” such utterances by the Law of Love. If the “utterance” comes from a place of love or a place of being loving, you can pretty much bet it does come from God. But, and this is a pretty big BUT, if the “utterance” does not come from a place of love or of being loving, you can pretty much bet it DOES NOT come from God and then you can choose to ignore it and/or say to it: “Begone! Get behind me, Satan.” No fear of it is necessary—just your Christian strength and faith is necessary for they have no power over you, as Christ himself stated.

--Inkie