The Pledge of Allegiance always seems to be more than a bit sinister and rather right wing to me, or maybe thats just me being a typical wet European.
Edited by - matty on 14 June 2002 18:10:5
Posts by Matty
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17Pledge of Allegiance
by giantjason ina bill by sen. william ``pete'' knight would require that all california schoolchildren say the pledge of allegiance daily.
under sb 1248, public school teachers would have to lead students in saying the pledge at the beginning of each school day.
this is very interesting, although i seriously doubt it would pass.
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Second Toss
by IslandWoman insecond toss: "predicting the future of the world economy" december 15, 1992 .
third toss: xxxxx.
fourth toss: xxxxx.
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Matty
Why "Go to the Ant"?
WISE King Solomon of ancient Israel gave this advice: "Go to the ant." Why did he say this? What can we learn from ants?
Solomon added: "See [the ants] ways and become wise. Although it has no commander, officer or ruler, it prepares its food even in the summer; it has gathered its food supplies even in the harvest." (Proverbs 6:6-8) Those words of long ago express truths discovered by modern-day naturalists.
The proverbialist Agur indicates that ants are "instinctively wise." (Proverbs 30:24, 25) Of course, their wisdom is not the product of intelligent reasoning but results from the instincts with which the Creator has endowed them. Because of instinct, for example, ants gather their food at the right time.
Ants are marvelously organized. Remarkably cooperative and attentive to fellow workers, they assist injured or exhausted ants back to the nest. They instinctively prepare for the future and do everything possible to fulfill their tasks.
The ant's natural course implies that humans should plan ahead and be hard workers. This applies in school, at work, and in spiritual activities. As the ant benefits from its industriousness, so God wants humans to 'see good for all their hard work.' (Ecclesiastes 3:13, 22; 5:18) Like busy ants, true Christians do a good days work. They 'do with their might what their hands find to do,' not because a boss is watching, but out of honesty and with a desire to be industrious, profitable workers. - Ecclesiastes 9:10; compare Proverbs 6:9-11; see also Titus 2:9, 10.
We will be happy, indeed, if we "go to the ant" and apply what we learn from it. And the greatest happiness will be ours if we diligently do the will of Jehovah God, as revealed in the Bible.
Linda, I don't know whether you wanted me to do this or not - I hope you did - as not everyone here has the Watchtower CD ROM, they can't get the full benefit of those little nutty articles at the back of the mags that you cited in your post!
Edited by - matty on 15 June 2002 5:43:47
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Second Toss
by IslandWoman insecond toss: "predicting the future of the world economy" december 15, 1992 .
third toss: xxxxx.
fourth toss: xxxxx.
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Matty
Pomegranate Scepter From Jehovahs House?
ARCHAEOLOGISTS in Israel have uncovered many scepters, rods carried by persons in authority. (Genesis 49:10; Esther 8:4; Ezekiel 19:14) Some scepters found in Lachish had a head in the shape of a pomegranate. Gods people knew this fruit well. - Deuteronomy 8:8; Song of Solomon 4:13.
The ivory pomegranate in the blossom stage, at left, came to light not long ago. It is 1.68 inches high, and a hole in its base suggests that it was part of a scepter. Note the letters inscribed in the early Hebrew style dated to the eighth century B.C.E.
Part of the ivory was broken off in ancient times, so a few letters are missing or only partially present. Yet, specialists in ancient writing propose the restoration drawn below. (Based on Biblical Archaeologist) Irregular spacing between the letters has led to two principal readings. French scholar Andre Lemaire offered the reading "Belonging to the Tem[ple of the Lor]d [Yahweh], holy to the priests." Nahman Avigad proposed "Sacred donation for the priests of (in) the House of Yahweh."
They and other scholars concluded that the scepter originally bore the four Hebrew characters of Gods personal name - Jehovah. So it would have mentioned "the house of Jehovah," a phrase common in the Bible. - Exodus 23:19; 1 Kings 8:10, 11.
Many still feel that this scepter head may have been owned by a priest at the temple Solomon built or that it was donated to that temple. Interestingly, the pomegranate design was often seen at Gods temple. - Exodus 28:31-35; 1 Kings 7:15-20.
Edited by - matty on 15 June 2002 5:37:56
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Second Toss
by IslandWoman insecond toss: "predicting the future of the world economy" december 15, 1992 .
third toss: xxxxx.
fourth toss: xxxxx.
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Matty
Predicting the Future of the World Economy
THE instability of economic markets and a lack of confidence in analysts who failed to predict the 1987 stock market crash have made some businessmen turn to astrology to predict their financial future, claims the London magazine Accountancy Age. The magazine notes that "financial astrologers are gaining an impressive list of prestigious clientele for their detailed market predictions."
One consultant compares the cycles he detects in 30 years of daily financial data with the movement of the planets. On this basis he offers his predictions. Although many clients were reluctant to heed his advice before 1987, he now finds even hardheaded financiers prepared to listen.
Another financial astrologer draws charts based on dates of birth to assess a persons character and also to seek out "cues for the timing of likely business developments." Yet another believes that fluctuations of the silver market follow a lunar cycle. But when compared with regular financial analysts, this astrologer finds that his clients give him "very little scope for getting it wrong."
There is, however, one financial forecast that is sure to come true, and it has nothing to do with astrology. This forecast is registered in the Bible and inspired by Jehovah, the God who gives himself absolutely no "scope for getting it wrong." He is the God "who cannot lie." (Titus 1:2) He had his prophet Ezekiel declare: "Into the streets they will throw their very silver, and an abhorrent thing their own gold will become. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them." - Ezekiel 7:19.
When will this be? During the coming "great tribulation" foretold by Jesus Christ, which Ezekiel termed "the day of Jehovahs fury." (Matthew 24:21; Ezekiel 7:19) Financial prosperity will not secure survival, despite what astrologers may predict. It is only trust in Jehovah God, the Great Deliverer, that can guarantee security during this worldwide upheaval in which all corruption will be removed - political, religious, and commercial. - Proverbs 3:5, 6; Zephaniah 2:3; 2 Peter 2:9.
Edited by - matty on 15 June 2002 5:32:50
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A Bible study with Moses!!
by roykaye inhi guys.
last sunday we had a visiting speaker.
his subject was the resurrection.
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Matty
This first in, first out rule is a common belief among witnesses. Just think, if you drop dead one second before Armageddon, then you will be resurrected one second after; you will be dead for only two seconds! You can see how imaginations can run riot.
The post Armageddon speculative frenzy is something no witness soiree is to be without. I remember conjecturising to death, all of the possible things that a biblical man of old might think about the world once resurrected.
To think, I could study with Abel, the very first Jehovahs Witness, and sadly, according to this rule, the very last person ever to be resurrected. He would have such a lot to catch up with, the poor thing!
Edited by - matty on 14 June 2002 17:25:47
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Is apostate an appropriate term for us?
by sleepy in.
how do you feel?do you like to be called apostate ?.
apostate just means: someone who renounces a former belief or principle.. to people who have never been witnesses it may not symbolise much.but to witnesses the word means a lot.in many of their minds it is synonymous with evil and perverted.. since it jw's who will likely call us apostate not others the term almost always has a bad or negative useage.. but it does identify us as people who have completely rejected the religion.. so is it good for us to use it or not?
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Matty
I understand your point of view Joseph - It all seems pretty clear to me now, but it's strange how one simple word can be so controversial. Prisca, yes, I agree, it's a question of whether its Apostasy from the Jehovah's Witnesses, or Apostasy from God himself. A Jehovah's Witness obviously sees them both as the same. It just makes me feel so silly now! The word "Apostate" used to make me recoil with horror. I considered apostates as Satanic, and as such I thought of them as quite threatening and menacing. It's strange how the witnesses misrepresent the English language. If apostate is someone who simply renounces a former belief or principle, then the vast majority of ex-witnesses are indeed Apostate. As far as their interpretation is concerned, it's only when someone actively pursues them and fellow witnesses to try and persuade them to leave the faith, whether it's by dropping leaflets, setting up anti-witness web sites or picketing conventions, it's only then that an ex-witness is referred to as an Apostate. An angry ex-Jehovah's Witness, that doesn't do these kind of things are just labelled as "opposed".
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Hi, I'm new to this site
by GarbageGirl ini have been over at another board for quite some time now, but had heard so much about this place i figured i had better see what all the "hub bub" is about!
lol.
i just wanted to say hi before i started posting.
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Matty
Love a bit of Garbage myself. How popular is garbage round your way? In the fickle UK, in true "build 'em up, tear 'em down" fashion, the music press and radio stations have really turned against them. The first album and Version 2.0 were critically acclaimed, and the singles were played and played - but Beautifulgarbage was universally dissed, and they now get next to no airplay. Sheesh!
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Hi, I'm new to this site
by GarbageGirl ini have been over at another board for quite some time now, but had heard so much about this place i figured i had better see what all the "hub bub" is about!
lol.
i just wanted to say hi before i started posting.
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Matty
ISP is male.
Welcome aboard GarbageGirl!
Matty
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Jehovah Hates The Course of Treachery WT 2002/5/1
by Elsewhere inwatchtower may 1, 2002. jehovah hates the course of treachery.
does anyone have a scanned copy or the full text of this article?.
"as every one knows, there are mistakes in the bible" - the watchtower, april 15, 1928, p. 126 .
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Matty
Bleep
, I think they've stopped subscriptions now, so the only way you can get a magazine is if you become a "magazine route" member. That's a bit of a heavy price to pay to just get a mag for research purposes - you have to suffer the spiel as wellElsewhere
, I didn't realise your request was so old, I'm sure you've probably been sorted out already. I only spotted your post when it went BTTT when Bleep replied! Anyway, maybe some other people might want to read it, so I hope I didn't scan it all through in vain.Edited by - matty on 14 June 2002 8:31:6
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Jehovah Hates The Course of Treachery WT 2002/5/1
by Elsewhere inwatchtower may 1, 2002. jehovah hates the course of treachery.
does anyone have a scanned copy or the full text of this article?.
"as every one knows, there are mistakes in the bible" - the watchtower, april 15, 1928, p. 126 .
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Matty
JEHOVAH HATES THE COURSE OF TREACHERY
Do not deal treacherously with one another. Malachi 2:10
Do you want everlasting life? If you believe in that hope as promised in the Bible, you will probably say, Of course. But if you wish God to favour you with endless life in his new world, you will need to meet his requirements. (Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 17:3) Is it unreasonable to expect imperfect humans to do that? No, for Jehovah makes this encouraging statement: In loving-kindness I have taken delight, and not in sacrifice; and in the knowledge of God rather than in whole burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6) So even mistake-prone humans can meet Gods requirements.
However, not everybody wants to do Jehovahs will. Hosea reveals that even many Israelites did not want to. As a nation, they had agreed to come into a covenant, an agreement, to obey Gods laws. (Exodus 24:1-8) Yet, before long they were overstepping the covenant by breaking his laws. Thus, Jehovah said that those Israelites dealt treacherously with him. (Hosea 6:7) And so have many people since then. But Jehovah hates the course of treachery, whether it is directed toward him or toward those who love and serve him.
Hosea was not the only prophet to highlight Gods view of treachery, a view we need to adopt if we hope to enjoy a happy life. In the preceding article, we began an analysis of much of Malachis prophetic message, starting with the first chapter of his book. Now let us turn to the second chapter of that book and see how Gods view of treachery receives additional attention. Even though Malachi was dealing with the situation that prevailed among Gods people decades after their return from captivity in Babylon, that second chapter has real meaning for us today.
Reprehensible Priests
Chapter 2 opens with Jehovahs censure of the Jewish priests for departing from his righteous ways. If they did not take to heart his counsel and correct their ways, grave consequences were sure to follow. Note the first two verses: This commandment is to you, O priests. If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, Jehovah of armies has said, 1 shall also certainly send upon you the curse, and I will curse your blessings. Had the priests taught the people Gods laws and kept them, they would have been blessed. But because of ignoring Gods will, a curse, a malediction, would come instead. Even the blessings the priests uttered would turn out to be a curse.
Why were the priests especially reprehensible? Verse 7 gives a clear indication: The lips of a priest are the ones that should keep knowledge, and the law is what people should seek from his mouth; for he is the messenger of Jehovah of armies. More than a thousand years earlier, Gods laws that were given to Israel through Moses said that the priests had the duty to teach the sons of Israel all the regulations that Jehovah had spoken. (Leviticus 10:11) Sadly, at a later point, the writer of 2 Chronicles 15:3 reported: Many were the days that Israel had been without a true God and without a priest teaching and without Law.
In the time of Malachi, in the fifth century B.C.E., the situation with the priesthood was the same. They were failing to teach Gods Law to the people. So those priests deserved to be called to account. Note the strong words that Jehovah directs against them. Malachi 2:3 declares: I will scatter dung upon your faces, the dung of your festivals. What a rebuke! The dung of sacrificial animals was supposed to be carried outside the camp and burned. (Leviticus 16:27) But when Jehovah tells them that the dung would instead be scattered on their faces, it clearly shows that he held in contempt and rejected their sacrifices and those offering them.
Centuries before Malachis time, Jehovah had assigned the Levites to care for the tabernacle and later the temple and the sacred ministry. They were the teachers in the nation of Israel. Fulfilling their assignment would have meant life and peace for them and the nation. (Numbers 3:5-8) Yet, the Levites lost the fear of God that they initially had. Thus, Jehovah told them: You have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have ruined he covenant of Levi.. . You were not keeping my ways. (Malachi 2:8, 9) By their failure to teach the truth and by their poor example, the priests misled many Israelites, so Jehovah was rightly angry with them.
Keeping Gods Standards
Let us not think that those priests merited sympathy and should have been pardoned because they were mere imperfect humans and could not have been expected to keep Gods standards. The fact is that humans can keep Gods commands, for Jehovah does not expect of them what they cannot produce. Likely, some individual priests back then did keep Gods standards, and there is no doubt about one who later did -Jesus, the great high priest. (Hebrews 3:1) Of him it could truly be said: The very law of truth proved to be in his mouth, and there was no unrighteousness to be found on his lips. In peace and in uprightness he walked with me, and many were those whom he turned back from error.Malachi 2:6.
Comparably, for more than a century now, the anointed brothers of Christ, those with the heavenly hope, have served as a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. (1 Peter 2:5) They have taken the lead in dispensing Bible truths to others. As you have learned truths that they teach, have you not found from experience that the very law of truth has proved to be in their mouths? They have helped to turn many back from religious error, so that now there are millions throughout the world who have learned Bible truths and who have the hope of everlasting life. These, in turn, have the privilege of teaching the law of truth to yet other millions.John 10:16; Revelation 7:9.
Reason for Caution
However, we have reason for caution. We could miss the lessons that are implicit in Malachi 2:1-9. Are we personally alert, so that no unrighteousness is found on our lips? For example, can our family members really trust what we say? Can our spiritual brothers and sisters in the congregation do the same? It would be easy to develop the habit of couching ones words in terms that are technically accurate but misleading. Or one might exaggerate or hide details in a business matter. Would Jehovah not see that? And if we followed such practices, would he accept sacrifices of praise from our lips?
As to those who have the privilege of teaching Gods Word in the congregations today, Malachi 2:7 should serve as a caution. It says that their lips should keep knowledge, and the law is what people should seek from their mouths. Heavy responsibility comes upon such teachers, for James 3:1 indicates that they shall receive heavier judgment. While they should teach with vigour and enthusiasm, their teaching must be soundly based on Gods written Word and the instruction that comes through Jehovahs organization. In that way they will be adequately qualified to teach others. Thus, they are counselled: Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright.2 Timothy 2:2, 15.
If we are not careful, we could be tempted to weave personal preferences or opinions in with our teaching. That would especially be a risk for a person tending to be confident in his own conclusions even when these contradict what Jehovahs organization is teaching. But Malachi chapter 2 shows that we should expect congregation teachers to hold to knowledge from God and not to personal ideas, which could stumble the sheep. Jesus said: Whoever stumbles one of these little ones who put faith in me, it is more beneficial for him to have hung around his neck a millstone such as is turned by an ass and to be sunk in the wide, open sea.Matthew 18:6.
Marrying an Unbeliever
From verse 10 onward, Malachi chapter 2 highlights treachery even more directly. Malachi focuses on two related courses about which he repeatedly uses the word treacherously. First, observe that Malachi prefaces his counsel with these questions: Is it not one father that all of us have? Is it not one God that has created us? Why is it that we deal treacherously with one another, in profaning the covenant of our forefathers? Then verse ii adds that Israels treacherous course amounts to profaning the holiness of Jehovah. What were they doing that was so serious? That verse identifies one of the wrong practices: They had taken possession of the daughter of a foreign god as a bride.
In other words, some Israelites, who were part of a nation dedicated to Jehovah, had married those who did not worship him. The context helps us to see why that was so serious. Verse 10 says that they had one common father. This did not mean Jacob (renamed Israel) or Abraham or even Adam. Malachi 1:6 shows that Jehovah was the one father. The nation of Israel was in a relationship with him, party to the covenant made with their forefathers. One of the laws in that covenant was: You must form no marriage alliance with them. Your daughter you must not give to his son, and his daughter you must not take for your son. Deuteronomy 7:3.
Some today might reason: The person Im attracted to is very nice. In time, he (or she) will likely accept true worship. Such thinking confirms the inspired warning: The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. (Jeremiah 17:9) Gods view of marrying an unbeliever is expressed at Malachi 2:12: Jehovah will cut off each one that does it. Thus, Christians are urged to marry only in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 7:39) Under the Christian system of things, a believer is not cut off for marrying an unbeliever. Still, if the unbeliever stays in his or her unbelief, what will happen to that one when God shortly brings this system to an end?Psalm 37:37, 38.
Mistreating Ones Mate
Malachi then considers a second treachery: mistreating ones mate, especially by unjust divorcing. Verse 14 of chapter 2 states: Jehovah himself has borne witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you yourself have dealt treacherously, although she is your partner and the wife of your covenant. By dealing treacherously with their wives, Jewish husbands caused Jehovahs altar to become covered with tears. (Malachi 2:13) Those men were obtaining divorces on illegitimate grounds, wrongly leaving the wives of their youth, likely to marry younger or pagan women. And the corrupt priests allowed that! Yet, Malachi 2:16 declares: He has hated a divorcing, Jehovah the God of Israel has said. Later, Jesus showed that immorality is the only ground for a divorce that would free the innocent mate to remarry.Matthew 19:9.
Reflect on Malachis words, and see how they appeal to hearts and to feelings of basic kindness. He refers to your partner and the wife of your covenant. Each man involved had married a fellow worshiper, an Israelite woman, choosing her as a dear companion, a life partner. While that marriage probably took place when he and she were young, the passing of time and the onset of older age did not invalidate the covenant they had entered into, that is, the marriage contract.
The counsel regarding those issues applies with equal force today. It is a shame that some disregard Gods direction on marrying only in the Lord. And it is also regrettable that some do not continue working at keeping their marriage strong. Instead, they make excuses and pursue a course that God hates by getting an unscriptural divorce so as to marry someone else. In doing such things, they have made Jehovah weary. Back in Malachis time, those who ignored divine counsel even had the audacity to feel that Jehovah was unjustified in his views. They, in effect, said: Where is the God of justice? What perverse thinking! Let us not fall into that trap.Malachi 2:17.
On the positive side, Malachi shows that some husbands were not dealing treacherously with their wives. They had what was remaining of Gods holy spirit. (Verse 15) Happily, Gods organization today abounds with such men who assign honour to their wives. (1 Peter 3:7) They do not abuse their wives physically or verbally, do not insist on degrading sexual practices, and do not dishonour their wives by flirting with other women or by viewing pornography. Jehovahs organization is also blessed by having an abundance of faithful Christian wives who are loyal to God and his laws. All such men and women know what God hates, and they think and act accordingly. Continue to be like them, obeying God as ruler and being blessed by his holy spirit.Acts 5:29.
Soon, Jehovah will bring this entire world into judgment. Every individual will have to answer to him for his or her beliefs and actions. Each of us will render an account for himself to God. (Romans 14:12) So an intriguing question at this point is: Who will survive the day of Jehovah? The third and final article in this series will take up that theme.
Voila! Thank you Textbridge Pro!
Edited by - matty on 13 June 2002 19:59:39