Hello everyone,
thanks for taking the time to read the post and
to comment freely.
Thanks also for all the additional
and your appreciative remarks.
I'll take the time to comment on some of the
points . Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
MacHislopp
JoinedPosts by MacHislopp
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If you ever Wondered why it is so HARD to Sue WT for being DFed- read this
by JT inin re: your status in the xxxx congregation of jehovah's witnesses, xxxxxxxxx.
e. when a judicial committee handling a case of wrongdoing reaches the conclusion that the unrepentant person would be disfellowshipped, then the committee will speak with the person and let the individual know of their decision to disfellowship him or her from the congregation.
the supreme court in serbian eastern orthodox diocese specifically held that the first amendment prohibits civil court inquiry into matters of internal church discipline.
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MacHislopp
Hello again JT,
thanks for the other comments.
I do like this:
"When you can make and change the
rules in the middle of the game like wt
does all the time." !!!
Unfortunately very true.
Btw, it is also true that in Europe there is an increasing
number of "Disass." instead of "disfellowshiping".
As you have commented it is easier for the WTBS Inc.
and takes the " load " away from the '...elders'.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
PS. Hi... to hawkaw and Somebody...please cool it down!
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Sweden TV scoop of the year
by happy man in.
yesterday sweden tv send a program like dateline, it was done from one of the most famus journalist in sweden, and i thnk this program was just terribel fore our leadreship, to se the bigg men in broklyn running away and hide when he come and want intrevju, sending out some bigg gorilla to tell we dont aswer your qestions, and the same in sweden the send forward a littelgirlto tell we dont answer on this acisations, and the sweed higest man put on the phone when the qestions as to tuff.. and most terribel to se some jw elder say we go to the police, and later they show a kommitte meeting filmd in secret when elder say to the vicktim, no we dont go o the police if you want to its upp to you, and in our cong one hour before this we have a letter from hedquorter if the law say so we go to the police, come on guys, be hounest.
as jw i must say, we must get ridhe of this men how are behind this maffia like behavior, we as jw hate pedofile wery much and if some try to protect them they must be pushed away.
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MacHislopp
Hello Happy Man,
thanks for the news. It is a great thing when the ' top guns'
at the WTBS Inc. get got and the news is broadcast and
printed for thousands and thousands more to know.
Could you be specific about the TV program?
Name, date, ? Anything published in the next day
on the national press?
Thanks again,
J.C.MacHislopp
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31
If you ever Wondered why it is so HARD to Sue WT for being DFed- read this
by JT inin re: your status in the xxxx congregation of jehovah's witnesses, xxxxxxxxx.
e. when a judicial committee handling a case of wrongdoing reaches the conclusion that the unrepentant person would be disfellowshipped, then the committee will speak with the person and let the individual know of their decision to disfellowship him or her from the congregation.
the supreme court in serbian eastern orthodox diocese specifically held that the first amendment prohibits civil court inquiry into matters of internal church discipline.
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MacHislopp
Hello JT,
thanks for posting...all the material. It will useful for
all those who whish to have a ' legal ' answer to the
WTBS Inc. tactics. As it has been commented, the
only ' field ' of action...actually a mine field, is every case
of " child molesting . Already many churches have paid
billions of dollars in compensations and ...very soon I do
hope it'll be the turn of the mighty WTBS Inc.!!!
Thanks again for the excellent and informative research
which will go ...directly in the files.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
P.S. At the moment the situation is quite the same
in Europe.
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MacHislopp
Hello everyone,
Among various current ‘ideas/opinions ‘ and WTBS Inc. teaching ,
I would like to comment on this recent material:
From the book : “Isaiah’s Prophecy – Light for all Mankind” vol. II (pub. 2001)
(material included in the Congregation's book study for the week of April 7 th 2003)
*** ip-2 chap. 15 pp. 228-229 The Barren Woman Rejoices ***
23 Verse 13 of Isaiah chapter 54 provides the key—all will be “taught by Jehovah.” Jesus himself applied the words of this verse to his anointed followers. (John 6:45)
The prophet Daniel foretold that during this “time of the end,” the anointed would be blessed with an abundance of true knowledge and spiritual insight. (Daniel 12:3, 4)
Such insight has enabled them to spearhead the greatest educational campaign in history, spreading divine teaching in all the earth. (Matthew 24:14) At the same time, such insight has helped them to see the difference between true religion and false. Isaiah 54:12 mentions “boundaries of delightsome stones.” Since 1919, Jehovah has given the anointed an ever clearer understanding of the boundaries—the lines of spiritual demarcation—setting them apart from false religion and ungodly elements of the world. ( Ezekiel 44:23; John 17:14; James 1:27 )
They are thus set apart as God’s own people.—1 Peter 2:9.
24 Thus, each of us does well to ask himself, ‘Am I being taught by Jehovah?’ We do not receive such teaching automatically. We must put forth effort. If we read God’s Word regularly and meditate upon it and if we take in instruction by reading the Bible-based literature published by “the faithful and discreet slave” and by preparing for and attending Christian meetings, we will indeed be taught by Jehovah. (Matthew 24:45-47) If we endeavor to apply what we learn and remain spiritually awake and watchful, divine teaching will set us apart as different from those in this godless world. (1 Peter 5:8, 9) Better still, it will help us “draw close to God.”—James 1:22-25; 4:8.
N.B. These are the supporting scriptures:
John 6:45 "It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by Jehovah.’ Everyone that has heard from the Father and has learned comes to me."
***I don't see any mention of " anointed followers"
but rather …" e v e r y o n e .."
Daniel 12:3,4 “And the ones having insight will shine like the brightness of the expanse; and those who are bringing the many to righteousness, like the stars to time indefinite, even forever. And as for you, O Daniel, make secret the words and seal up the book, until the time of [the] end. Many will rove about, and the [true] knowledge will become abundant.”
***Where is it written by Daniel that : ” …the anointed would be blessed with an abundance of true knowledge and spiritual insight.."???
I'm sorry but what I can read is : “…And the ones having insight…"
and "…those who are bringing the many.." . and "Many will rove about.."
Ezekiel 44:23; “And my people they should instruct in the difference between a holy thing and a profane thing; and the difference between what is unclean and what is clean they should cause them to know.”
John 17:14; “ I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them, because they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world “
James 1:27 “ The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.”
How is it possible that the 3 above quoted scriptures, support the idea that :
"Since 1919, Jehovah has given the anointed an ever clearer understanding …"???
The confusion is not finished yet. Take a look and compare with material published on “The Watchtower” February 15, 2003 pages 20-21, paragraph 16:
“ Why Mistaken Assumptions:
“ Some have concluded that they have the heavenly calling
because they have acquired considerable Bible knowledge.
But spirit anointing does not bring extraordinary understanding, for Paul had to instruct and counsel certain
anointed ones. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:11-14)
God has an arrangement for providing spiritual food for
all his people. (Matthew 24:45-47). So nobody should think
that being an anointed Christian gives him wisdom superior
to that of those having the earthly hope ." Spirit anointing is not
indicated by proficiency in answering Scriptural questions, witnessing,
or giving Bible talks.”
More light or more darkness?? If the above is true , how can we renconcile all these other statements?
a) "The Watchtower" 1931 June 1 st , page 160
"Jehovah God has made known to his anointed
ones in advance what these scriptures mean."
b) "The Watchtower" 1933 August 15 th , page 247
"Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and
through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful
anointed on earth at the temple, and brings peace
and consolation to them."
c) "The Watchtower" 1952 April 15 th , page 253
Aids for Understanding Prophecy
19 When may prophecies be understood? The Lord
said to Daniel, "O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal
the book, even to the time of the end." (Dan. 12:4, AS)
This indicates that the further fulfillments of the prophecies
are sealed until the physical facts appear that begin to fulfill
them. So the rule seems to be reasonable and certain that
prophecies cannot be understood until they are in the course
of fulfillment or until they have been fulfilled. Jehovah as
the great Interpreter makes known the meaning of his
revelations in his due time, and speculation by men cannot
bring to light the true meaning of prophecy before time.
Jehovah has provided a channel, the "faithful and
discreet slave" class, who are given spiritual
"food at the proper time",and this spiritual food
includes among other things the
understandings of the prophecies
in the course of their fulfillments .
(Matt. 24:45, NW) Jehovah's witnesses themselves are
not nor can they be interpreters of prophecies.
But as fast as the "superior authorities"
Jehovah and Christ Jesus reveal the
interpretations through their provided channel
that fast do God's people publish them the world over to
strengthen the faith of all lovers of righteousness.
d) "The Watchtower" 1952 April 15 th , page 253
PROPHESYING TODAY
20 Since Joel 2:28, which has its complete fulfillment after 1919,
foretells that God will pour out his spirit upon people of all
kinds and "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall s
ee visions", in what sense then do Jehovah's witnesses
prophesy today? Jehovah's people confess no powers
of inspiration today. However, they do pray continually
for more of God's holy spirit to understand the many
prophecies already uttered and preserved for the final
preaching work which Jehovah's witnesses are now
undertaking. They know that the inspired infallible
Scriptures of prophecy will be fulfilled toward them
correctly. They diligently study the visions and dreams
of God's faithful men of old. They can quote and copy
the Scriptures of God's inspired men and can apply them
according to the facts. They can observe how God
interprets them by Christ Jesus through the events and
facts that he causes to appear. They are then
faithful in publishing and preaching
the revealed prophecies to the
utter ends of the earth. The twentieth-century preaching
prophets of Jehovah are the ones who are running to and
fro over the Bible to gain knowledge of the divine
pronouncements which is on the increase.-Dan. 12:4.
e) "The Watchtower " 1960 July 15 th , ppages 438-9
Staying Awake with the "Faithful and Discreet Slave"
2 How is this divine will to be made known and brought to
the attention of the worthy multitudes of men of good will
toward Jehovah? Again the awake world-watchman, the
"slave" class, must undertake another world educational
campaign following their restoration as witnesses after 1919.
Such a global work has now been under way for more than
forty years and is reaching its fruitful culmination. The
facts show that during this time and up to the present hour
the "slave" class has served as God's sole
collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth
to men on earth. Just as theearly Christian congregation
collectively served as the channel of
communication from heaven
to earth, so in our time. (Eph. 3:10)
Abundant spiritual food and amazing
details as to the doing of God's will have been
flowingthrough this unique channel actually as
a miraculous evidence of the operation of holy spirit. "
e) "The Watchtower " 1964 May 1 st , page 277-8
Building a Firm Foundation in Christ
8 God's Word is the basis of our faith .
Why, though, is such emphasis placed on "accurate" knowledge?
Why should such care be exercised in our study of the columns
of The Watchtower, and of our application of the Scripture texts to
the material under consideration? It is through the columns
of The Watchtower that Jehovah provides direction
and constant Scriptural counsel to his people,
and it requires careful study and attention to details in order to apply
this information, to get a full understanding of the principles involved,
and to assure ourselves of right thinking on these matters."
f) "The Watchtower " 1967 October 1 st , page 590
Finding Freedom with Jehovah's Visible Organization
Jehovah poured out his spirit upon them and assigned them
the responsibility of serving as his sole visible channel,
through whom alone spiritual instruction was
to come. Those whorecognize Jehovah's visible theocratic
organization, therefore,must recognize and accept this
appointment of the "faithful and discreet slave" and be submissive to it."
g) " The Watchtower "1972 August 1 st , page 460
Loving Oversight of the Congregation of God
18 Each week the principal Bible study aid published by
Jehovah's witnesses, the Watchtower magazine, is studied by
the congregation as a whole. This is done in the form of a
question-and-answer discussion. For this meeting the entire
congregation usually meets in one place. Through the columns
of The Watchtower comes increased light on God's
Word as Jehovah makes it known. "
h) "The Watchtower " 1981 December 1 st , page 27
The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter
Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization,
his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit-anointed ones ...
Unless we are in touch with this channel of
communication that God is using, we will
not progress along the road to life, no matter how much
Bible reading we do."
i) "The Watchtower" 2001 August 1 st , page
How to Make Your Advancement Manifest
8 First, since “oneness” is to be observed, a mature Christian
must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far
as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate
or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it
comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete
confidence in the truth as it is revealed by
Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus
Christ , and “the faithful and discreet slave. "
l) " Our Kingdom Ministry " September 2002
(Edition f or Britain) page 8
5 God's Appointed Channel: Bear in mind that our heavenlyFather has an appointed channel of communication,
"the faithful and discreet slave." That "slave" has the responsibility
to determine what information is made available to the household
of faith, as well as "the proper time" for it to be dispensed . This
spiritual food is available only through the theocratic
organization. We should always look to God's appointed
channel for reliable information, not to a network
of Internet users. -- Matt.24:45."
Please note that , three particular expressions come quite often:
1) "anointed ";
2) "(God's ) channel of communication" ;
3) "faithful and discreet slave"
To clarify any possible misunderstanding, let's ask the WTBS Inc.,
what they mean and include in these ' terms' . What better way to get
an 'accurate and reliable answer ' then to read from an article
published in "The Watchtower" , in the year 1995:
*** w95 2/1 12-13 A Great Crowd of True Worshipers
-From Where Have They Come? ***
15 In that discourse in 1923, an effort was made to identify
those who fit the Lord’s description of the sheep and of the
goats, but other matters needed to be understood before the
full import of the parable would be clear. During the following
years, Jehovah progressively drew these
important details to the attention of his servants.
These included clearly understanding, in 1927,
that “the faithful and discreet
slave”is the entire body
of spirit-anointed Christians
on earth ;
also appreciating, in 1932, the need to identify oneself
fearlessly with Jehovah’s anointed servants, as Jonadab
did with Jehu. (Matthew 24:45; 2 Kings 10:15).-
and also this one
"The Watchtower" November 1 st , 2001 pages 28-29
"The Blessing of Jehovah—That Is What Makes Rich"
Through Jesus Christ and "the faithful and discreet slave ," Jehovah has provided a bountiful supply of spiritual food that helps us to remain on "the road leading off into life."
Finally, on the evidence of a 'few ' examples of the WTBS Inc.'s
repeated claims, published in the last 72 years, how can they still
write and teach publicly and even schedule a worldwide study of this
kind of …conflicting material in the… same month of April 2003… at
24, 48 hours intervals , wich contains such claims:
"…spirit anointing does not bring extraordinary
understanding, …"
and :
"… nobody should think that being an anointed
Christian gives him wisdom superior to that of
those having the earthly hope."
**** Material from the " The Watchtower” February 15, 2003 pages 20-21, paragraph 16)
-for Congregation's Watchtower study , on Sunday April 6 th , 2003 -
and :
"The prophet Daniel foretold that during this “time of the end,
” the anointed would be blessed with an abundance
of true knowledge and spiritual insight.
(Daniel 12:3, 4);
"…Since 1919, Jehovah has given the
anointed an ever clearer understanding …"
**** From the book : “Isaiah’s Prophecy – Light for all Mankind” vol. II (pub. 2001)
*ip-2 chap. 15 pp. 228-229 The Barren Woman Rejoices
- material inlcuded in the Congregation's book study for the week of April 7 th 2003 -
Well, I do hope any reading of this post has not been a waste of time.
Comments ... will be greatly appreciated.
Greetings, James Charles MacHislopp
"Epistula non erubescit" (Cicero, Epistulae ad familiares)
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Comments You Will Not Hear at the 4-6-03 WT Study
by blondie incomments you will not hear at the 4-6-03 wt study .
february 15, 2003 wt page 17
quotes from the wt will be in red ; reviewers comments in black and parentheses.
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MacHislopp
Hello everyone,
First of all thanks to Blondie for the excellent material !
Second, thanks to the many comments added that are making
this topic very , very interesting.
Third, to show how the WTBS Inc. – still use the – method-
of cut and paste and from older articles .
Here below is what they published ..over 28 years ago
about the same subject:
*** w75 2/15 105-8 Anointing to a Heavenly Hope-How Is It Manifest?
WRITING to the congregation of anointed Christians in Corinth, the apostle Paul said that God has “put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts.”—2 Cor. 1:21, 22.
How do those who have been anointed by God to be his heavenly sons and who receive the sealing of the spirit manifest this? Is it possible for someone to think that he or she is thus anointed and yet be mistaken?
There is an evident need for Scriptural understanding of these points. For example, in a few congregations in one large country of Africa, certain persons attending the celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal partook for the first time and were seen to shake visibly or to make other unusual movements while partaking. Is this in harmony with the Scriptures as to the way God’s spirit acts toward those anointed? Is it evidence of his spirit in the hearts of such ones, giving them a “token” or foretaste of the heavenly sonship to which they are called?
The answer to these questions must be No. Such strange conduct is instead characteristic of certain religious sects that encourage giving way to unrestrained actions, or of ritual dances of certain tribes that encourage emotional excitement.
The Bible nowhere indicates that—either at the time of God’s anointing of someone as called to the heavenly kingdom or after such anointing—the action of God’s spirit produces conduct of an abnormal, showy or undignified nature. On the day of Pentecost it is true that Jehovah God caused miraculous things to occur, such as the “noise just like that of a rushing stiff breeze” that filled the house where the disciples were, and the “tongues as if of fire” that sat upon those anointed by holy spirit. These miraculous features provided by God himself served to draw many people there so that a mighty witness could be given and also to give powerful evidence that God’s favor had passed from fleshly Israel under the Law covenant to spiritual Israel under the new covenant. The disciples were able to speak in the different languages of those drawn there, a gift also miraculously given. But there is nothing to indicate that the disciples acted in a highly emotional way or with any undignified behavior. The accusation made by some of the observers that the disciples were drunk was not because of any shaking action by the disciples but, as the account shows, it was because such observers heard these Jewish disciples speaking in foreign languages. The address there given by the apostle Peter was a very sober, sensible, logical presentation, not one of emotionalism.—Acts 2:1-36.
After this initial outpouring of the spirit at Pentecost, the Bible does not indicate that the ‘noise like a rushing breeze’ or the “tongues as if of fire” were ever repeated in the cases of others thereafter anointed. Even the gifts of the spirit, such as the miraculous ability to speak in foreign languages, were due to end and did end with the death of the apostles and of those to whom they had imparted such gifts.—Acts 8:14-18; 19:2-6; 1 Cor. 13:8-12.
RECEIVING A TRUE SPIRIT OF SONSHIP
How, then, does God’s holy spirit operate toward those whom he anoints? Romans 8:15-17 tells us, saying: “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: ‘Abba, Father!’ The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children. If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together.”
Similarly, at Galatians 4:6, 7, we read: “Now because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his Son into our hearts and it cries out: ‘Abba, Father!’ So, then, you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, also an heir through God.”
Therefore the principal evidence one anointed to the heavenly calling has is this spirit or dominant sense of sonship, that is, of having been begotten by God to spiritual sonship as one of the 144,000 heirs of the heavenly kingdom. One genuinely begotten can testify in all good conscience that the heavenly hopes produced in him are not born of his own desires or imaginations but are from Jehovah God, the result of His spirit’s action toward such a one. (1 Pet. 1:3, 4; Rev. 14:1-3) This is at once an awesome privilege and a grave responsibility—becoming the spiritual son of the Universal Sovereign whose ‘name is majestic’ and of whom it is written, “Dignity and splendor are before him.” (Ps. 8:1; 96:6) Certainly for those honored with such call to be his sons, conduct should be expected that would be fittingly representative of this dignified Father, upholding his reputation. They should surely manifest the fruitage of God’s spirit, which includes “self-control.” (Gal. 5:22, 23; 1 Cor. 14:33) Those anointed have as their model God’s Chief Son, Christ Jesus, and should also reflect his spirit or dominant expression of himself. To give in to practices that smack of fleshly tribal customs or of religious sects that encourage uncontrolled emotionalism would not give evidence of genuine spiritual sonship. As the inspired apostle states:
“However, you are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in you. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him.”—Rom. 8:9.
At the annual celebration of the Memorial of Christ’s death, then, the conduct of one who is truly of the anointed joint heirs of Christ should be above reproach or question. The apostle Paul had to reprove certain ones in the Corinthian congregation because their conduct at the Lord’s Evening Meal was ‘unworthy’ of the occasion. Some were treating the Memorial emblems as mere food and drink for satisfying hunger and thirst, or, before the occasion they might have used wine to the point of intoxication. Such unworthy conduct showed failure to discern what was represented by the emblems—namely, the blood and body of Christ Jesus that had been offered as a ransom sacrifice. Such disrespectful conduct could bring a judgment upon those engaging in it. It could bring disciplining action from Jehovah.—1 Cor. 11:20-32.
So, no true Christian would want to take lightly the occasion of the Lord’s Evening Meal, either in the ways described by the apostle or in other ways, such as by making a display of himself. The minds of all present should be focused on the vital meaning and significance of the occasion, not on the strange actions of certain individuals. Actions serving to draw attention to the individual would cast a shadow of uncertainty on such a one’s claim to be of God’s anointed. It would be an indication that he did “not have Christ’s spirit.”
REASONS FOR WRONG ASSUMPTIONS BY SOME
What might cause some to assume mistakenly that they are of the anointed ones who should partake of the Memorial emblems? The apostle John said to his fellow anointed Christians: “You have an anointing from the holy one; all of you have knowledge.” (1 John 2:20) Lack of knowledge could be responsible for someone’s assuming wrongly that he or she was thus anointed. One may fail to realize that, as with other favors of God, receiving such anointing “depends, not upon the one wishing nor upon the one running, but upon God.” (Rom. 9:8, 16; Jas. 1:18) So it is not because an individual decides that he or she would like to be of those who will serve as heavenly kings and priests, being taken into the new covenant validated by Christ’s shed blood, which blood is symbolized by the wine used at the Memorial. It is God’s choice, not the individual’s that counts.—Matt. 26:27, 28.
There is no room for presumption, any more than there was when Jehovah God selected those who would serve as priests for him in ancient Israel under the Law covenant. (Compare 2 Chronicles 26:18; Hebrews 5:4, 5.) Korah presumptuously sought the priesthood that Jehovah God had placed in the family of Aaron, and for his rebellious course Korah was executed by God. (Ex. 28:1; Num. 16:4-11) Somewhat similarly, it would certainly be displeasing to God if someone presented himself as called to form part of the heavenly “kingdom of priests” if God had not actually given him such a call. We cannot trifle with Jehovah’s arrangements and still expect to receive his approval. In due time he makes known his judgment.—1 Cor. 4:5; 1 Tim. 5:24, 25.
A possible cause of a person’s mistakenly assuming that he or she had such heavenly calling might be strong emotional pressure owing to severe problems in life—marital problems, perhaps even divorce or the death of a mate, or some other tragedy or great disappointment. These things can cause one to lose interest in life as it is now lived on earth, in effect causing one to become “sour” on such life. If this happens, the person might be moved to feel that life in heaven is what he or she wants. But this is not God’s way of calling persons and giving them the ‘spirit of sonship.’ Such ones should realize that Jehovah God will soon transform life on this earth under his Son’s kingdom and will see to it that “the creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” So, even though “all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now,” this will not go on forever. It would show a lack of appreciation for God’s purpose regarding the earth to view life on it as no longer desirable and—on that basis—entertain hopes of life in heaven.—Rom. 8:20-22.
EXAMINING VALIDITY OF ONE’S HOPES
We can therefore examine ourselves in the light of these points. Has one perhaps been influenced by others to entertain the idea of such heavenly calling? This would not be proper, for God has not assigned persons to “recruit” others through suggestive influence, thus trying to instill in others a hope that God himself has not placed there. Has one, as is the case with many young persons today, had experience with drugs before learning the truth of God’s Word? An introverted tendency toward fantasy or dreaminess or abstract thinking is no sign of anointing by God, nor even of true spirituality. Nor does God employ methods that cause persons to think they hear voices, at times accompanied by music, or similar messages, to convey his anointing of Christian heirs to the Kingdom, though some in recent years have allowed such things to cause them to think they had received a heavenly call.
Finally, one may ask oneself in all honesty, Do I have a tendency toward desiring attention or prominence? Am I anxious for a position of authority, or ambitious to be one of the “kings and priests” associated with Christ Jesus? It is good to remember that in the first century when a general invitation was going out to seek entrance into the heavenly kingdom, not all the anointed Christians held positions of responsibility, not all were elders or ministerial servants of congregations. Nor does such anointing of itself bring exceptional understanding of God’s Word, as can be seen by the way the apostle Paul found it necessary to write certain anointed Christians in his day. (1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:11-14) It is noteworthy also of persons today who have long years of service as anointed Christians that they do not view themselves as distinctive or make it a habit to draw attention to their being anointed. They manifest the humility that is to be expected of those who “have Christ’s spirit.” They recognize that the vast majority of requirements that God has set for those gaining life in heaven and those gaining eternal life on earth are the same.
As discussed in the book Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God, pages 147 to 151, evidence indicates that by 1934 God’s attention turned to developing the “great crowd” of persons who will survive the coming “great tribulation” to enter into an earthly New Order and that by that time the number of those called to the heavenly kingdom had reached its full number of 144,000. (Rev. 7:9-14; 14:1-3)
Hence, it would be expected that thenceforth only as a result of an anointed one’s proving unfaithful would there be occasion for another person to be called as a replacement. (Compare Revelation 3:11.) And, as shown in the November 15, 1974, issue of The Watchtower, pages 698 to 700, Jesus’ statement that “there are many invited, but few chosen” does not indicate that the majority of those who are anointed would prove unfaithful and have to be replaced. The “many” Jesus referred to were the millions of persons forming the Jewish nation to whom God’s “invitation” first went and from among whom only a few, comparatively speaking, were chosen as joint heirs with Christ.—Matt. 22:14.
All of us, then, whether having an earthly or a heavenly hope, should be on guard against any presumptuousness on our part and should seek in all ways and at all times to reflect with dignity the ways and qualities of our heavenly Father. We will realize that, as regards being anointed to the heavenly calling, the important thing is not the simple act of partaking of emblems of bread and wine by an individual, but, instead, the important thing is God’s action and decision. So, too, it is not an individual’s claim that is most important but his having “Christ’s spirit” as an anointed son and, in the face of tests, finally conquering so as to become a spirit son of God.—Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:11, 21; 21:7."
Quite interesting I hope. The same retoric, the same …attitude toward all those
who … claim to be ...also members of the "anointed " !
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
"Non omne quod nitet aurum est "
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12
Watchtower's Armegeddon Frenzy--Again
by ARoarer inwith all this going on over in iraq, and the watchtower society's fear of death tactics on the rank and file members, it reminds me of how much the watchtower publishing corporation leadership is using the same fear tactics of death to all who are not subserviant and loyal to it's fear inspiring religious regime.
while threatening the world with "mass distruction" by thier watchtower false god, and twisting christian doctrine to further their fear, and blame messages, and death to all others, they have the same perpetrating m.o.
as saddam, bin laden, and all other dictatorial figures.
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MacHislopp
Hello ARoarer,
thanks for your comments and the reminder
about Tally's post. Those pictures do reveal
quite a lot!!!
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
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19
The Independent,2 April 2003, page13/14
by badboy in.
on page 13 is an ad by the lord's witnesses.. `the league of nations/un was abyssed during wwii as prophesied in revelation 17.. it is ridden by a harlot which stands for all the unfaithful churches in the world.these are all the religions which have joined the un as ngos(non governmental organisations).they range from the catholics to the jehovah's witnesses.the reason that christian churches should not join th un is that they are supposed to look to god for their protection and advancement not powerful organisations of men.in this sense joining the un is an act of unfaithfullness,depicted in revelation as harlotry,because the church is supposed to be the wife of christ,he should be their head rather than any political organisation such as the un,however noble their charter may be!.
page 14. a man with mental is said to have confessed after reading the sixth commandment.
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MacHislopp
Hello Badboy,
thanks for the information...quite amazing!
Englishman: thanks for the link and the
details. (Take it easy ...with the red)
Ozziepost: I do hope that on the part of the
planet the red and the white are ...excellent!
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
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11
Maybe the WTS got some ideas from the Methodists?
by onacruse in) the book of discipline of the united methodist church (1996)(pp.
while primary responsibility and initiative rests with each professing member faithfully to perform the vows of the baptismal covenant that have been solemnly assumed, if the professed member should be neglectful of that responsibility, these procedures shall be followed:.
(1) if a professed member residing in the community is negligent of the vows or is regularly absent from the worship of the church without valid reason, the pastor and the membership secretary shall report that professed member's name to the church council, which shall do all in its power to reenlist the professed member in the active fellowship of the church.
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MacHislopp
Hello Onacruse,
First of all thanks for the very interesting research.
Second, allow me please, the following:
New title and modifications are in red
(!) The Book of Discipline of the Jehovah's Witnesses Congregations
While primary responsibility and initiative rests with each professing member faithfully to perform the vows of the baptismal covenant that have been solemnly assumed, if the professed member should be neglectful of that responsibility, these procedures shall be followed:
(1) If a professed member residing in the community is negligent of the vows or is regularly absent from the worship of the congregation without valid reason, the presiding elder and the secretary shall report that professed member's name to the congregation' service committee, which shall do all in its power to reenlist the professed member in the active fellowship of the congregation. It shall visit the professed member and make clear that, while the professed member's name is on the roll of a particular local congregation one is a member the Jehovah's Witnesses Congregation as a whole, and...the professed member is requested to do one of four things: (a) renew the vows and return to living in the community...of the congregation where the professed member's name is recorded, (b) request transfer to another Jehovah's Witnesses Congregation where the professed member will return to living in the community...(c) arrange transfer to a particularly
preferred congregation or (d) request withdrawal, i.e. disassociation.
.....
(5) ...it is recommended that a roll of persons removed shall be maintained. It shall then become the responsibility of the congregation's body of elders, to provide for the review of this roll at least once a year...After the review has been made, it is recommended that the presiding elder and/or the secretary of the congregation contact those whose names appear on this roll..."
The names and addresses of those who have moved outside the local congregation's area should be sent to local congregations in their new communities... "
°
To Hillary_step : Many thanks for the excellent links !
P.S. You have to admit that those changes do not really change much of the contents, relating to the procedure.
Personally I'm sure that if this ‘document ‘ is given to many elders… they could well believe , that it is a part of an older publication.!!!
Thanks again for your research.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
« Abiit, excessit, evasit, erupit. » (Cicero, In Catilinam)
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22
How Come Brooklyn Never Saw This One Coming?
by Englishman inbooks and magazines all full of dire warnings..stay away from the world..don't have sex outside of marriage..armageddon is just around the corner..avoid worldly associations..look out for this, look out for that.
the list goes on and on and on.. yet the wtbts predictors of doom and gloom department never, ever, in their worst nightmares, ever saw what it was that would prove to be their nemesis.. that ex-witnesses, the majority of them disfellowshipped and, therefore, supposedly gagged and without a voice, would find a way to communicate with one another via the internet.. i wonder if the fact that they brought this upon themselves is clear to them?
the irony is astonishing.
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MacHislopp
Hello Englishman,
a very interesting topic which provokes many...
serious questions.
Among the comments I do like a lot this one
"..they'd rather not mention what is going on Internet-wise,
even with respect to warning specifically about ex-jws and so
forth. I think they'd only end up arousing more curiosity in their
otherwise mushroom-like membership, who are largely kept in the
dark and fed only what the WTS wants to feed them."
Well written, and imho ...100% true.
Gordy: thanks for the letter ..and the answer!
Greetings , J.C.MacHislopp