okay so we've obviously established on this board that 607 is not the correct date that babylon destroyed jerusalem.
even before 1914 came around, the bible students still thought 1914 would be a pivital date.
the only way they can gain that info is from the 7 times or w/e.
Using bible-based Chronology is a fact from it's usage by the Jews themselves and is explained in the bible. All Jehovah's witnesses know this!
Also 607 is a Bible date those that try and debunk it are arguing that the Bible God's word is wrong. There is no way a true christien would support secular history from one man-written source against inspired Bible history.
the following took place several years ago in a congregation in the united states.
we had this circuit overseer who was a real piece of work.
40-ish mts grad, i believe.
Hi flipper
I was going to answer you until you poisoned the well with the pedophile issue which is a separate much debated topic. If you take that emotional manipulation out of the wording, I was going to say the Bible makes it clear Elders have authority but are under greater personal responsibility and accountability.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.
people, please don't be angry at me, but do you sometimes ask yourselves this question?
i do..
It might be better to ask:-
So you accept the choice you have made and it's consequences if any?
If Armageddon happened tomorrow and Jehovah's witnesses stood out as an imperfect people doing their level best to be followers of Jehovah their Father and Almighty God through his son Jesus in these times amidst triune God worshipers and happy atheists. And they are prove correct in their biblical adherence. Would you accept you have rejected that promise of your own freewill?
a comment on dgp's thread about being kind to jw's promted me to post this thread.. as a life long (46 years) jw, i was conditioned to doing "the right thing" because it was required of me.
i was also conditioned to be on the lookout for others not doing the right thing and either distancing myself from them or reporting them to the elders.. today, i consider myself an atheist.
i have nobody telling me what the right thing is or fear of being punished for not doing it.
Hi Changling
I don't think so. I found that sort of freedom was ultimately a selfishness that allowed me to abstain from responsibility beyond my own personal satisfaction to do what occured to me personally to towards what I considered good or what I considered bad. It is a lonely road I did not enjoy even if I didn't recognise this at the beginning.
A sigh of relief at responsibility being lifted, doesn't make up for the continual emptiness after that. I find now Jehovah walking with me again, someone to whom my thoughts and words can always reach towards. My loneliness is filled with companionship again.
but I allow you may feel differently. your way is not mine though.
a comment on dgp's thread about being kind to jw's promted me to post this thread.. as a life long (46 years) jw, i was conditioned to doing "the right thing" because it was required of me.
i was also conditioned to be on the lookout for others not doing the right thing and either distancing myself from them or reporting them to the elders.. today, i consider myself an atheist.
i have nobody telling me what the right thing is or fear of being punished for not doing it.
Hi changling
I found your words rather sad. What price freedom from belief in Jehovah if it leaves you all alone?
"peter faces a dilemma.
his parents have taught him that god created the earth and all life on it.
they say that the bible's account of creation is trustworthy and that evolution is simply a theory-one not supported by the evidence.
The sidetracking of using the word evolution away from source of life has led to people now using the word "Darwinist" it is clearlr than saying "Evolutionist" and includes all the points that a Darwinist thinks we come from ape-like ancesters etc.
So now I don't say "Your an Evolutionist" I say instead "your a Darwinist!"
the following took place several years ago in a congregation in the united states.
we had this circuit overseer who was a real piece of work.
40-ish mts grad, i believe.
Why would men stop you being a Jehovah's witness? You read the bible a book showing that with the exception of Jesus the men that followed Jehovah made tons of imperfect mistakes from murder, adultery, to killing God's own people.
So you found out Your CO was an imperfect human, why would that make Jehovah any less Jehovah?
I always find imperfection of men threads weird because the bible is very consistent in showing that shepherding does not stop us being imperfect. Moses still made mistakes, even Paul wasn't particularily impressive in person. But that doesn't negate the bible direction for us to have overseers, elders among us etc?
Titus 1:7
Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
1 Timothy 5:17
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
I'm sorry if I sound harsh but I always wonder at imperfection of men as a reason to be stumbled. Surely Jehovah's usage of King David and Moses both murderers would create a massive stumbling block for you?
can anyone verify, but aren't those supposed to be trashed?
there are no pre 1950's wt in there anymore.
i saw that book there though, wondering if once an elder realizes it, will it be trashed or not?
You would be condemned by your own conscience. You would know you were taking it never to return it for your own usage to either keep or sell.
Matthew 19:19
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do notsteal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' "
as ridiculous as it seems to me and most of you, the infamous 'generation' update has every jw that i know in a tizzy.
they're all worked up about how 'exciting' it all is.
i just received a letter from my mom (she only communicates through letters now), and she brought it up - how they carefully explained it at the convention, and how it shows that we are so close to the end.. unbelievable.
Most witnesses grasp as I do that Bible prophecy is to be used but since it can only be 100% in hindsight we decern in unity, Using bible prophecy but recognise we will only understand fully when it gets fulfilled. you are placing unrealistic expectations on witnesses. Asking God inspired knowledge off them!
Prophecy is different from all other Bible scripture since it is subjective to our reading the signs/chronology etc around us and this is ongoing.But it should be used to the best of our current understanding of Bible prophecy.
having been out of the organisation for over 4 years and having finally released my kids from the hellish existance that is life as a jw, it struck me today how enjoyable our weekends are in comparison to when we were jw's.. the weekends are vital for us just now.
my wife doesn't work but i work full time from very early in the morning.
i don't get to see my beutiful children in the morning during the week.
I see the obvious irony I meant by my own equally general observations over non-witnesses passed you by.
If you object to my overly emotional generalities, why did you support it against witnesses by various posters inc the op? If you can see emotional manipulation in typecasting scenarios why do you use them against witnesses?
Children need to have a lot of structure in their lifes, this is not a bad thing! Jewish Children went to the temple with their parents much as we do as witnesses. Jewish people didn't use creches or babysitters, the children were expected to behave as there parents taught them too in the temple . This how they learned. People leave it to school now to teach this type of structured setting but there should be times with parents when they learn how to behaved among people in various setting both informal and formal.
