Posts by Vanderhoven7

36

Are YOU saved?

by JW Answers in

sadly today, many churches and religious organisations teach their followers that they are saved based on something the bible does not record.

many people are following a lie, and are heading to a lost eternity and do not know it.. my question here is... are you saved?

it's vitally important to know!.

Vanderhoven7

Hi Jehalapeno,

I agree that if there is no God, sin does not exist...because sin is a transgression against divine law.

36

Are YOU saved?

by JW Answers in

sadly today, many churches and religious organisations teach their followers that they are saved based on something the bible does not record.

many people are following a lie, and are heading to a lost eternity and do not know it.. my question here is... are you saved?

it's vitally important to know!.

Vanderhoven7

Hi Diogenesister,

Wow! Sounds like you were living in Romans chapter 7. Hope you are living in Romans 8 today.

There is therefore NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 As we yield to the Holy Spirit we are filled with joy and peace that passes understanding.

We know that in our flesh there lives no good thing, and that is why we need to die to the flesh and be filled with His Spirit.

We are encouraged to be filled with the Spirit, speaking to ourselves in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs making melody in our hearts unto the Lord who has forgiven us from all sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

We are new creations in Christ, old things have passed away and all things have become new.

We rejoice, because we are made acceptable in the beloved. No need to flail ourselves. Jesus took our flailings and by His stripes we are healed.

In Christ, that is if we belong to Christ, all of our sins, past, present and future are under the blood.

How else could we bear fruit? The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Jesus, the Truth sets us free from the law of sin and death.

20

What are the odds that Armageddon is soooo close?

by Vanderhoven7 in

well judging from past prophetic pronouncements....go figure.

"surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of god that the lord jesus is present and has been since 1874;…" watchtower 1924 jan 1 p.5).

"the prophecy of the bible, fully supported by the physical facts in fulfillment thereof, shows that the second coming of christ dates from the fall of the year 1914.

Vanderhoven7

Well judging from past prophetic pronouncements....go figure

"Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus is present and has been since 1874;…" Watchtower 1924 Jan 1 p.5)

"The prophecy of the Bible, fully supported by the physical facts in fulfillment thereof, shows that the second coming of Christ dates from the fall of the year 1914." What is Truth? (1932) p.48

"In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished near the end of A.D. 1915. .

"Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by millions, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of ‘Christianity.’" p.485

"Does God's rest day parallel the time man has been on earth since his creation? Apparently so. In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man's existence and also the first 6,000 years of Gods rest day come to an end? The year 1975. It means that within a relatively few years we will witness the fulfilment of the remaining prophecies that have to do with the "time of the end"." Awake! 1966 Oct 8 pp.19-20

"the danger of sudden death is staring you in the face. ... That is exactly the case with the warning that we speak of here, and there are reasons why it can truly be said to be the most urgent warning ever given. ... It is to come within the generation that has already seen two world wars and it is only a few short years ahead of us." Watchtower 1967 Apr 15 pp.243-244

"The immediate future is certain to be filled with climactic events, for this old system is nearing its complete end. Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to these "last days" will undergo fulfillment." Watchtower 1968 May 1 p.272

"The fact that fifty-four years of the period called the "last days" have already gone by is highly significant. It means that only a few years, at most, remain before the corrupt system of things dominating the earth is destroyed by God." Awake! 1968 Oct 8 p.13

"Today there is a great crowd of people who are confident that a destruction of even greater magnitude is now imminent. The evidence is that Jesus' prophecy will shortly have a major fulfilment, upon this entire system of things. This has been a major factor in influencing many couples to decide not to have children at this time." Awake! 1974 Nov 8 p.11

"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the "last days" in 1914, Jesus foretold: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."-Matt. 24:34. Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in highschool and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!" Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15

"And if the wicked system of this world survived until the turn of the century, which is highly improbable in view of world trends and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, there would still be survivors of the World War I generation." Watchtower 1980 Oct 15 p.31

"Shortly, within our twentieth century, the "battle in the day of Jehovah" will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom." The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah p. 216

"Some of that "generation" could survive until the end of the century. But there are many indications that "the end" is much closer than that!" Watchtower 1984 Mar 1 pp.18-19

"He was laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century". Watchtower 1989 Jan 1 p.12.

Please add more quotations.

EDIT Why did the WTBTS change the masthead of the Awake Magazine in 1995?

From 1982 - 1995 it stated:

"Most importantly, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new order before the generation that saw the events of 1914 C.E. passes away."

When it became obvious that this was false because that generation HAD all but passed away, it was changed in Nov 1995 to read:

"Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things."

36

Are YOU saved?

by JW Answers in

sadly today, many churches and religious organisations teach their followers that they are saved based on something the bible does not record.

many people are following a lie, and are heading to a lost eternity and do not know it.. my question here is... are you saved?

it's vitally important to know!.

Vanderhoven7

Hi TBK

You make salvation sound so easy.

The sanctification process is usually quite painful.

It starts with repentance.

And that repentance is ongoing death to self repentance.

The cross is an invitation to die....to yield to the indwelling Holy Spirit and let Him transform us into Christ's image marred by the fall.

As Christians we need to continually judge ourselves against the scriptures. If we fail to judge ourselves God will judge us...because we are His children.

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 kjv

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Easy believism has no place in the life of a Christian. We are constantly on death row. How else would we be crowned?

36

Are YOU saved?

by JW Answers in

sadly today, many churches and religious organisations teach their followers that they are saved based on something the bible does not record.

many people are following a lie, and are heading to a lost eternity and do not know it.. my question here is... are you saved?

it's vitally important to know!.

Vanderhoven7

Hi Wozza,

I don't like to add to the word of God but I will share my personal views which i believe correspond to the scriptures.

It is clear from the Bible that there is no other name given unto mankind whereby we may be saved, i.e. justified.

All non-Christians will be raised from the dead in the second resurrection for judgment. Judgment with God is not just sentencing. Judgment begins with the house of God. So the church is being judged in this life; the world in the next. Non-Christians will be raised to judgment followed by punishment administered based both on what they knew and what they did in their lives.

I believe the power of the cross extends beyond the grave and that many sins even against the Son of God will be forgiven...with the exception of the sin against the Holy Spirit for which there is no forgiveness either in this age or the age to come.

This is where I see the millennial reign of Christ fits in. All faithful Christians will be granted to rule with Christ over the nations with a disciplinary rod of iron. When the thousand years is ended a final judgment will be rendered, the wicked destroyed eternally and the new heaven and new earth established, where death and suffering are a thing of the past.

Hope this helps.

Edit: that Christians are being judged and disciplined in this life is confirmed in

1 Corinthians 11:32 KJV — But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

36

Are YOU saved?

by JW Answers in

sadly today, many churches and religious organisations teach their followers that they are saved based on something the bible does not record.

many people are following a lie, and are heading to a lost eternity and do not know it.. my question here is... are you saved?

it's vitally important to know!.

Vanderhoven7

And the answer should be:

Saved from sins penalty now, sins power now and ultimately sins presence, i.e., justification, sanctification and finally glorification at the coming of the Lord.

36

Are YOU saved?

by JW Answers in

sadly today, many churches and religious organisations teach their followers that they are saved based on something the bible does not record.

many people are following a lie, and are heading to a lost eternity and do not know it.. my question here is... are you saved?

it's vitally important to know!.

Vanderhoven7

Hi TBK and Wozza

Watchtower always brings up James to demonstrate that they are the only ones doing good works worthy of salvation. TBK, you are right that Watchtower objects to justification by faith alone, in Christ alone, in His blood alone by grace alone....because they are self-righteous and very proud of it...as were the Pharisees and Sadducees. Let's look at James for a moment.

James 2:20 - 26 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

This passage serves as a needed correction. Many people say they have faith, which their works deny. James concludes that dead or fake faith cannot save anyone and that genuine faith always leads to good fruit/works. He is right. But what about the apparent disconnect between Paul and James on the subject of Abraham's justification.

Comparing James with Paul on justification

James writes: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? James 2:21

Paul writes: What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Rom. 4:1-3

How can we harmonize James and Paul on the subject of justification?

It is critical to note that Abraham was justified by faith before God not only prior to the giving of the law but also prior to offering Isaac on the alter, and actually even before Isaac was conceived. Genesis. 14:6

The solution is that Paul was talking about justification before God, while James was talking about justification before men. “Show me thy faith by thy works,” says James, “let thy faith be justified in the eyes of those that behold thee by thy works;” but Paul speaks of justification in the sight of God, who justifies those that believe in Jesus, purely on account of the redemption that is in him.” Thus we see that persons are justified before God by faith, but faith is justified before men by works.

CONCLUSION: Genuine faith is invisible to all but God. Visible works alone can demonstrate to others that a person is truly justified. Works alone can attest to whether faith is genuine i.e., saving or justifying faith. However works are not the basis of salvation but rather the product of salvation.

What does it mean to be saved/justified?

The Greek scriptures talk about salvation in three tenses, past, present and future. Past and present salvation is identified by the term “justification” All Christian believers are justified.

Acts 13:39 KJV — And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Romans 5:1 KJV — Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV — And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

The gospel which Paul preached is the gospel by which we are saved. (I Cor.15:2)

So there are three aspects of spiritual salvation in the New Testament (The 3 P's)

Salvation from:

sins penalty – Ro.6:23, 5:16 - Justification (past, complete and so is not progressive)

sins power – I Cor.1:30, 6:11, Heb13:12 - Sanctification (past and progressive process)

sins presence – Ro. 8:30, I Pe. 5:4 - Glorification (future) I Pe.1:3-4, Col.1:3-5

Biblically, when a person repents and believes the gospel, he is justified (just as if I'd never sinned) and he receives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit and becomes an adopted and sanctified son of God. Salvation/justification is a free gift; we cannot earn forgiveness nor the imputation of Christ's righteousness.(not by our works of righteousness anyway Titus 3:5, Eph 2:8 )

Salvation is always the gift of God.

36

Are YOU saved?

by JW Answers in

sadly today, many churches and religious organisations teach their followers that they are saved based on something the bible does not record.

many people are following a lie, and are heading to a lost eternity and do not know it.. my question here is... are you saved?

it's vitally important to know!.

Vanderhoven7

@Rivergang

Early on, I lived in a district which featured a large number of Brethren, Pentecostals, and some who were a mix of both. “Are you saved?” was a common question. I am sure they believed it to be a loaded question to throw at the JWs.

Actually, "Are you saved?" is an excellent "loaded" question because it forces JWs to pit their organizations' word against the word of God. The Bible clearly teaches that All believers in Christ are saved/justified.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

II Timothy 1:9 God has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 13:38-39 38 Therefore let it be known to you, men and brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Romans 3:21-26 21 But now God has shown us His righteousness; the law and the prophets tell us about it...God's righteousness comes to all who believe, just by their believing in Jesus Christ. There is no distinction. All have sinned and are without God's glory. They become righteous by a gift of His love, by the ransom Christ Jesus paid to free them. God set Him up publicly to pour out His blood before God to take away sin through faith, to show His righteousness...Now He wanted to show His righteousness, to be righteous Himself and make righteous anyone who believes in Jesus. (Beck)

Roman's 5:18 Therefore by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Notice that Romans 5:18 does not say: Therefore by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon ~~all men~~ 144, 000 unto justification of life.

36

Are YOU saved?

by JW Answers in

sadly today, many churches and religious organisations teach their followers that they are saved based on something the bible does not record.

many people are following a lie, and are heading to a lost eternity and do not know it.. my question here is... are you saved?

it's vitally important to know!.

Vanderhoven7

Hi Stan,

Biblical salvation is justification. This includes forgiveness of sin and imputation of Christ's righteousness

Colossians 2:13 KJV — And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Romans 4:23¶Now it was not written for Abraham alone, that righteousness was imputed to him;

24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

So believers are saved from sin and eternal death.

36

Are YOU saved?

by JW Answers in

sadly today, many churches and religious organisations teach their followers that they are saved based on something the bible does not record.

many people are following a lie, and are heading to a lost eternity and do not know it.. my question here is... are you saved?

it's vitally important to know!.

Vanderhoven7

8.5 million JWs do not claim to be saved, but they hope that their works and loyalty to god's organization will be enough to enable them to survive Armageddon into the new system where they will faithfully work for 1000 to acquire perfection and eternal life on paradise earth.

Salvation then is defined as survival through Armageddon. He who endures faithful to the end will survive Armageddon is the promise of the Faithful Slave.