There is some interesting reading in the WWF’s Living Planet Report 2014
Ucantnome
JoinedPosts by Ucantnome
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Do you believe what the Bible teaches? If "yes", why? If "no", why?
by Tenacious inif you do believe in the bible's message, do you believe society has gotten better, worse, or has remained the same?.
if you don't believe in the bible's message, do you believe society has gotten better, worse, or has remained the same?.
on a personal note, there are many things that i can't help but notice that coincide with what the apostle paul wrote to timothy in his second letter chapter 3 regarding tough times:.
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41
Do you believe what the Bible teaches? If "yes", why? If "no", why?
by Tenacious inif you do believe in the bible's message, do you believe society has gotten better, worse, or has remained the same?.
if you don't believe in the bible's message, do you believe society has gotten better, worse, or has remained the same?.
on a personal note, there are many things that i can't help but notice that coincide with what the apostle paul wrote to timothy in his second letter chapter 3 regarding tough times:.
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Ucantnome
when I went to school as a child the kids didn't use bad words but now they do. -
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Still pointing your Finger when having a Rafter in your eye?
by DocHouse inyes- everyone has faults and makes mistakes; an organization even more so.. yet, you ignore all the fingers pointing at you.. many here have no faith.
many here go to churches who lie about everything biblical; look at x-mas!.
but at least we know god and christ and try to live up to their name!.
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Ucantnome
The Watchtower March 15 1970.
Pg. 174
The present-day “good News” concerning God's kingdom is that it has been established in heaven in this very generation; yes, that Jesus Christ has been enthroned there and is ruling in the midst of his enemies. This means that Satan the Devil has been cast from heaven to the vicinity of the earth, and that he will soon be abyssed and his entire wicked system of things destroyed. What good news.
In the book Man's Salvation Out of World Distress At Hand 1975 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society on page 47 it says,
The glorification of Jesus Christ in heaven after his extraordinary sufferings as a man on earth was good news, Gospel, Evangel "Nevertheless," writes the apostle Paul with special reference to his own people, "they did not all obey the good news. For Isaiah says: 'Jehovah, who put faith in the thing heard [from] us? So faith follows the thing heard. In turn the thing heard is through the word about Christ." -Romans 10:16,17.
Page 48.
A similar thing can be said today. "They did not all obey the good news." This, even after the christian witnesses of Jehovah have spent more than sixty years in proclaiming the the "times of the Gentiles" ended in the autumn of 1914 C.E. amid the first world war and that then Jehovah's "servant " recieved a new elevation by being exalted to the throne of the Messianic kingdom...
In the face of the relatively small proportion of the world's population that has put faith in the "thing Heard [from] us" or proclaimes by us, it can truthfully be said: "They did not all obey the good news."
DocHouse I think from this it is as it says the 'present day' good news
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245
Still pointing your Finger when having a Rafter in your eye?
by DocHouse inyes- everyone has faults and makes mistakes; an organization even more so.. yet, you ignore all the fingers pointing at you.. many here have no faith.
many here go to churches who lie about everything biblical; look at x-mas!.
but at least we know god and christ and try to live up to their name!.
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Ucantnome
Ucant, I've been a JW for over 30 years, yet am not happy with the changes I'm seeing with the WTBS, though. The Truth stands on its own- but a lot of absurd opinion is still being ADDED to it...
Ucan't- I have ALWAYS taken the WTBS dates with a BARREL of salt- however, 1914 IS pinpointed in Daniel's prophecies. The meaning as to what it signifies is what's at dispute.
30 years. I was a baptised publisher for more than 30 years myself. We were in the 'truth'
The book Insight on the Scriptures Vol. 2 (Watch Tower 1988) on page 1132. Under the heading ‘Walking in the Truth’
‘The entire body of Christian teachings, which later became part of the written Word of God, is “the truth” or “the truth of the good news.” Adherence to this truth, ‘walking in it, is essential if an individual is to gain salvation.’
I have ALWAYS taken the WTBS dates with a BARREL of salt - DocHouse
The Watchtower that I mentioned in my previous post from 1974 had this in the paragraph that I would have drawn my answer from to the question (C) As shown in the Bible, when will the "great tribulation" strike?
Watchtower of January 15th 1974 the study article
Keep Close in Mind the Presence of the Day of Jehovah that I mentioned in my previous post on page 51 the answer to question c on paragraph 11
‘Unmistakably, the Bible pinpoints 1914 C.E. as the time when the “kingdom of the world” became the kingdom of the Lord God and of his Christ. Before the generation that was then alive passes off the scene, the “great tribulation will strike.’
Watchtower June 1 1968 page 331
On the Joyful March to Mankind’s Millennium
'Arguing against a literal future millennial rule by Christ, some have claimed that such a teaching would chill the missionary ardour of Christians to make disciples of all nations. (Matt. 28:19,20) But not so! Today no people are more zealous in carrying out this missionary commission than are the Christian witnesses of Jehovah, who believe that the 1,000-year reign of Christ is literal and future. In comparatively few years these have grown to more than a million. Today they are carrying out this commission in 197 lands and islands of the sea and that in 169 languages. Last year they devoted 184 million hours to this work!
And no wonder. What good news they have to tell the people! They proclaim the good news that the millennial rule of Christ will begin with this generation and that it will mean ever so many blessings for the people :..'
The part I have underlined says it is the good news and you say 'I have ALWAYS taken the WTBS dates with a BARREL of salt'
What made you feel that about the good news?
In the book Man’s Salvation Out of World Distress At Hand! (Watch Tower 1975) on page 29 after quoting the apostle Paul at 1 Corinthians 15:18,19 where Paul has been discussing the 'good news' and Christ resurrection and
‘So,too, with our generation in this twentieth century. After all that we have gone through since 1914, our generation would be, of all generations, the “most to be pitied.”
Think of it, though! Worthy ones of this generation of mankind will be saved alive out of the rest of this world distress so as to survive the worst of it and enter into God’s Messianic new system of things and not need a resurrection from the dead to life here on earth!’
The Awake magazine carried this on the inside front cover
'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 passes away'
This I understood was part of our good news which we believed and had faith in, confident that we could witness regarding the establishment of the kingdom in 1914 and the benefits to mankind that it would bring within the life time of the generation that witnessed this event. We were told.
In book The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah – How? (Watch Tower 1971) page 66
‘It is manifest that in the year 1919 the invisible heavenly organization of Jehovah, like the celestial chariot seen in Ezekiel’s vision, rolled up and stopped, not stopped, not before Christendom’s advocates of the League of Nations, but before the anointed proclaimers of the heavenly kingdom of God in the hands of Jesus Christ. From atop this celestial chariotlike organization Jehovah commissioned this dedicated, baptised anointed class of servants to speak to all the nations in His name.’
The Watchtower 1989 Sep1 pg.19
‘Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil.’
My salvation depended on my being a witness, sharing this good news being in the 'truth'
So I don't understand why you said this 'I have ALWAYS taken the WTBS dates with a BARREL of salt' - DocHouse
I just want to add this regarding the 'good news'
Joseph Ratzinger Pope Benedict XVI in his book Jesus of Nazareth page 46/47 writing about the Greek term evangelion used in the Mark and Matthew and translated as “good news” says,
’but it falls far short of the order of magnitude of what is actually meant by the word evangelion.’
The term was used by the Roman emperors who saw themselves as lords and saviors.
‘The idea was that what comes from the emperor is a saving message, that it is not just a piece of news…What the emperors, who pretend to be gods illegitimately claim, really occurs here - a message endowed with plenary authority, a message that is not just talk, but reality.’
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245
Still pointing your Finger when having a Rafter in your eye?
by DocHouse inyes- everyone has faults and makes mistakes; an organization even more so.. yet, you ignore all the fingers pointing at you.. many here have no faith.
many here go to churches who lie about everything biblical; look at x-mas!.
but at least we know god and christ and try to live up to their name!.
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Ucantnome
"But at LEAST we know God and Christ and TRY to live up to their name!"- DocHouse
“This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 (NWT)
“This Means Everlasting Life”
' We urge you to learn how accurate knowledge of the Bible can lead to peace of mind now and happiness in the future. Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to show you how to acquire such knowledge.'
- The Watchtower (2012)
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245
Still pointing your Finger when having a Rafter in your eye?
by DocHouse inyes- everyone has faults and makes mistakes; an organization even more so.. yet, you ignore all the fingers pointing at you.. many here have no faith.
many here go to churches who lie about everything biblical; look at x-mas!.
but at least we know god and christ and try to live up to their name!.
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Ucantnome
DocHouse have you been a witness for long? -
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What is truth?
by Heisenberg inwell, i have been lurking on this site for several months and i recently decided to join as a member.
i have made several observations and would like to make a few comments.. first, i am perplexed by the attitude of many on this site that are either former or active (but apostate) jws.
they seem to have a strong hatred for the wts and also for rank and file jws.
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Ucantnome
You must take responsibility for your own decisions and not blame an organization for hoodwinking you into thinking that you must live your life differently because the end of the world is coming.
I don't think I understand what you mean.
If someone hoodwinks, deceives you I don't think pointing that out is not facing up to the responsibility of making your own decisions.
Just as one gives thanks for his daily bread one would not be so thankful if it made one ill. As everlasting life and faith are involved I think there is reason to discuss these things.
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114
What is truth?
by Heisenberg inwell, i have been lurking on this site for several months and i recently decided to join as a member.
i have made several observations and would like to make a few comments.. first, i am perplexed by the attitude of many on this site that are either former or active (but apostate) jws.
they seem to have a strong hatred for the wts and also for rank and file jws.
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Ucantnome
So would you have led your life differently if you were not taught that these were the ‘last days’? And there was no 1914 or generation teaching?
As a true Christian, you should be living your life the same regardless of when the end is to come.
Yes I think I would have. Let me give you some examples.
I left school as soon as I was old enough legally leave and become a full time pioneer. This I believe was encouraged by the Watchtower. My bother in-law did the same thing. Although living thousands of miles away. If you wish I will try and provide quotes from the Watchtower. I understood from the information that was provided from the Watchtower that 1975 ended 6000 years in a 7000 year creative day. The 7th (See God’s Eternal Purpose Now Triumphing for Man’s Good 1974 WTB&TS pg.50/51 & pg. 131 &132) I also believed and had faith in the good news that we preached. The generation that saw the events of 1914 and was of a reasonable age to understand them would not pass away before the tribulation started. There was urgency to our preaching.
At the time of my pioneering a brother in the congregation, at break time from the field service, was encouraging me to go to the same art school he was attending. He had seen my work and felt I should pursue it. My cousin also encouraged me to do similar. The following paragraphs had an effect on my decision
Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15
"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 high school 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!"
I think my life would have been different if I had pursued what I am good at.
A few years later I had a man from the bank come to talk to me regarding my finances. We discussed some insurance policies and it moved on to taking about having a private pension. I could have afforded to start paying into one at this time. However if I had faith that the end would come within the generation that would not pass away I would not need one and I told him this.
Some years later when I had stopped attending the hall, I again had a man from the bank round to my house to discuss my financial requirements and he informed at this time, noticing that I had turned down a pension some years earlier that had I taken the pension policy out then at the earlier time it would have provided me double the amount of income that my pension would provide now, these years later. This will seriously impact on my life.
I could provide you with other examples to do with my life growing up and my marriage but feel this are probably enough. With both of the examples it has nothing to do with being a Christian and living my life as a Christian but has everything to do with having faith in the good news that we preached.
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If Your JW Parent Died Would YOU Go To The Kingdom Hall For The Talk?
by minimus ini would like your thoughts, please..
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Ucantnome
I don't see the point in making a fuss the ore simple a funeral the better. If I felt the need to attend I would if it was,at the hall.
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Christmas Eve Afternoon
by Joe Grundy inwell, it's christmas eve afternoon here now in the uk.. traditionally a time when all the panic shopping is over, what's done is done, what you've forgotten you've forgotten, time to raise a glass (or two) and relax.. so may i wish all members/readers/posters a very happy xmas, whether you celebrate it or not, and extra 'get up and go' for 2015.. best wishes to all.. .
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Ucantnome
having a port