I don't miss the lower working class homes JW's seemed to target. I can still smell the stench from many of the houses when the door opened. The ever present smell of dog sh*t that many of the yards reeked of, is also not missed.
Sea Breeze
JoinedPosts by Sea Breeze
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Did you loathe going in field service, if so why?
by HappyGuy ini always felt like i was not a "spiritual" person because i loathed going in field service.
i'm not even sure why i loathed it.
i am very outgoing and can talk to anyone, anytime, about anything.
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Proof of two destinies for believers in the Bible, heavenly and earthly
by slimboyfat inthe jw idea that believers are destined either for heavenly life or for endless life on earth comes in for significant criticism by critics of various kinds.
even some groups, such as the christadelphians, who share belief in a future paradise earth, don’t share the view that some christians are destined for life in heaven.
yet there is surprisingly quite a lot of evidence in the bible for the existence of two distinct groups of believers.
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Sea Breeze
Thomas Ice reflects my own opinion on the literal Kingdom. It just seems impossible for Amillennialism to exist in light of the vast support of a Premillennial view.
Premillennialism tidys up so much of scripture, promises, and loose ends like the dramatic reemergence of the nation of Israel in 1948. For instance:
The Abrahamic Covenant included the promise of land (Genesis 12:1). It was a specific land, an actual property, with dimensions specified in Genesis 15:18–21. In Genesis 13:15, God gives Abraham all the land that he can see, and the gift is declared to be “forever.” God was not going to renege on His promise. The territory given as part of the Abrahamic Covenant is expanded in Deuteronomy 30:1–10, often called the Palestinian Covenant.
Centuries after Abraham died, the children of Israel took possession of the land under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 21:43). At no point in history, though, has Israel controlled all of the land God had specified. There remains, therefore, a final fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant that will see Israel occupying their God-given homeland to the fullest extent. The fulfillment will be more than a matter of geography; it will also be a time of holiness and restoration (see Ezekiel 20:40–44 and 36:1—37:28).It's important to realize that both PREMILLENNIALISTS and AMILLENNIALISTS both agree on the current dispensation and the last dispensation - the eternal state (aka the new heavens and new earth).
PREMILLENNIALISTS strongly argue that there is one more dispensation to pass before we get to the eternal state.This has been a nice discussion on this topic, and for that I thank you. XJW's should be aware of differences among Christians as they exit the WT and seek other fellowship. Christians are not divided on issues of Salvation however.
Footnote: I have a very good explanation on why the twelve tribes list is slightly different in Revelation. I think I will do a separate post on that since JW's make such a big deal about it.
You may have to last word on the topic if you like. -
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GB as God's mouthpiece = ???
by tec inpunk's thread got me thinking about some of the things the gb calls themselves: .
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/245335/1/the-gb-are-gods-mouthpiece-rebuttal-to-elders .
"god's mouthpiece" .
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Sea Breeze
Do they still use the word 'channel'?
The Watchtower—Study Edition | November 2016
9 Some may feel that they can interpret the Bible on their own. However, Jesus has appointed the ‘faithful slave’ to be the only channel for dispensing spiritual food. Since 1919, the glorified Jesus Christ has been using that slave to help his followers understand God’s own Book and heed its directives. By obeying the instructions found in the Bible, we promote cleanness, peace, and unity in the congregation. Each one of us does well to ask himself, ‘Am I loyal to the channel that Jesus is using today?’
I think the WT loves the word "channel" very much. The WT still teaches that the dead spirits of Russell and former GB members are directing the Watchtower to this very day.
That's why they describe themeselves as a "spirit-directed" organization.
In other words, the WT is just plain old fashioned witchcraft. Totally Satanic.
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Proof of two destinies for believers in the Bible, heavenly and earthly
by slimboyfat inthe jw idea that believers are destined either for heavenly life or for endless life on earth comes in for significant criticism by critics of various kinds.
even some groups, such as the christadelphians, who share belief in a future paradise earth, don’t share the view that some christians are destined for life in heaven.
yet there is surprisingly quite a lot of evidence in the bible for the existence of two distinct groups of believers.
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Sea Breeze
@aqwsed
Well presented. People wonder why there are different types of churches. This is one of the reasons why. It has nothing to do with Salvation. Christians have latitude to disagree on a number of things. And, we do. How we get saved isn't one of them.
Just a few closing remarks, becuase both posts describe Premillennialism and Amillennialism well.
1. Premillennialism believes the next dispensation is literal just like the current (and previous) dispensations are literal. (See chart above)
2. Amillennialism jumps from the current dispensation of Grace to the eternal state, skipping a literal 1000 yr. reign.
3. Premillennialism is the dominant view of Evangelicals - 2/3
4. Premillennialism was the view of the early church leaders some of which were trained directly by the apostles.
Below is an excerpt from a White Paper from Liberty University on the topic.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF EARLY PREMILLENNIALISM
by Thomas Ice
I believe that premillennialism is so clearly taught in Revelation 19 and 20 that I still cannot understand how anyone can think otherwise without realizing deep down that they are going against the biblical text. A kingdom reign of the Messiah was just as clearly taught in the Old Testament. Jesus and His Scripture writing disciples also support the notion of an earthly kingdom headed by the Messiah. Such clearness in the Bible provides the likely reason why the early church fathers who spoke on this matter were all premillennialists.
THE FIRST PREMILLENNIALISTS
The first premillennialists were those who received God’s revelation and wrote it down in the Bible. Eusebius tells us that one of the earliest church fathers that had heard the Apostle John and others who had known the Lord and His Apostles was Papias (A.D. 60–130) the bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia, Asia Minor.
Papias taught “that there will be a millennium after the resurrection of the dead, when the kingdom of Christ will be set up in material form on this earth.”1 Irenaeus (A.D. 130–202) tells us that Papias “related that they had heard from him how the Lord used to teach in regard to these times” (the millennium) in book 4 of Papias’ writings, which are no longer extant, except a few fragments. Papias is recorded as saying: “there will be a millennium after the resurrection from the dead, when the personal reign of Christ will be established on this earth.”2 Polycarp (A.D. 70–155), bishop of Smyrna, is also said to have been a premillennialist.
The Epistle of Barnabas (written between A.D. 120–150) presents the common belief that “in six thousand years, all things will be finished. . . . then shall He truly rest on the seventh day.” The writer speaks of the second coming of Christ with the clear implication that He will set up the thousand year kingdom on earth, followed by the eight day or the eternal state.
Justin Martyr (A.D. 100–165) in his Dialogue With Trypho (@ A.D. 140), a Jewish man, made the following premillennial statement: But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged, as the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and others declare.
Justin considered premillennialism an aspect of orthodoxy in his day. And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem; and that thereafter the general, and, in short, the eternal resurrection and judgment of all men would likewise take place.
IRENAEUS AND TERTULLIAN Two of the greatest ante-Nicene fathers were Irenaeus and Tertullian (A.D. 160–230). Irenaeus grew up in Asia Minor and was discipled by Polycarp, who knew the Apostle John. Irenaeus had a very extensive view of Bible prophecy in his last five chapters of Premillennial History — Page Against Heresies, which were suppressed throughout the Middle Ages by antipremillennialists and rediscovered in 1571.
The restoration of a more literal interpretation and reading of the early church fathers by many post-Reformationists led to a revival of premillennialism in the early 1600s. Irenaeus’ writings played a key role because of their clear premillennial statements. “John, therefore, did distinctly foresee the first ‘resurrection of the just,’ and the inheritance in the kingdom of the earth,” he says, “and what the prophets have prophesied concerning it harmonize [with his vision].”
Again, Irenaeus declares: "But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom".
Tertullian, who gave us the Latin word “Trinity,” was also a strong premillennialist. He makes his premillennialism clear when he says the following: But we do confess that a kingdom is promised to us upon the earth, although before heaven, only in another state of existence; inasmuch as it will be after the resurrection for a thousand years in the divinely-built city of Jerusalem, “let down from heaven,” which the apostle also calls “our mother from above;” and, while declaring that our citizenship is in heaven, he predicts of it that it is really a city in heaven. This both Ezekiel had knowledge of and the Apostle John beheld.
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Should we trust con-men to tell us the TRUTH about themselves?
by BoogerMan inif god's self-appointed "slave" says so, it must be the right thing to do!.
w15 9/1 p. 3 who are jehovah’s witnesses?
- "would you like to receive truthful answers to your questions about jehovah’s witnesses?
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Sea Breeze
The WT has a long history of quoting scriptures that command us not to put our trust in men, and then immediately turn around and ask you to do that exact thing by trusting their men with a bible study!!!
A lot of people fell for this bait and switch. For example:
Kingdom Ministry—1996
Presenting the Good News With a Positive Attitude
“The man-in-the-street now feels that the men in power are incapable of coming up with effective solutions to the problems that directly confront him: inflation, unemployment, energy shortages, violence, and so on.”—January 1975, p. 21.
Is that how you feel about it too? Where will you put your trust?
In view of the evidence, do you not agree that the Bible provides good advice when it says: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man”? (Ps. 146:3) Surely it should be clear that we need guidance superior to what humans of themselves are capable of giving. But where can such guidance be found?
...Jehovah’s witnesses will be happy to help you to obtain the Bible information needed
Occasionally the WT ditches all pretenses of restraint and flat out commands people to trust them instead of Jesus:
Paragraph #2 of the 4th study article in the July 15th, 2013 magazine.
" ... That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. OUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD DEPEND ON THIS CHANNEL.—Matt. 4:4; John 17:3."HERE'S HOW THE PUPPETEERS ADMINISTER THEIR FOOD:
“Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man”? (Ps. 146:3)
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GB as God's mouthpiece = ???
by tec inpunk's thread got me thinking about some of the things the gb calls themselves: .
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/245335/1/the-gb-are-gods-mouthpiece-rebuttal-to-elders .
"god's mouthpiece" .
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Sea Breeze
The July 15, 1906 ZWT journal is revealing.
Russell declares "...the truths I present as God's mouthpiece, were not revealed in visions or dreams, nor by God's audible voice, nor all at once, but gradually, especially since 1870, and particularly since 1880. Neither is this clear unfolding of truth due to any human ingenuity or acuteness of perception, but to the simple fact that God's due time has come; and if I did not speak, and no other agent could be found, the very stones would cry out..."
Clearly, Russell saw himself as a Messiah figure, applying scriptures about Jesus to himself. Suppossedly, He alone in all the world was chosen to speak for God.
The WT has always acted ruthlesssly and cunningly towards people.... all sociopaths do.
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LEAKED ANNUAL MEETING VIDEO :EXPECT SUDDEN CHANGES: JEFFREY JACKSON
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/uxqqyrrffow?si=wo0jotyvjg76oljk.
well that's sort of related to the next talk on our program brother jeffrey jackson will discuss the theme don't be surprised by sudden changes, brother jeff you have our.
attention well i'm sure we all agree with this fact in recent years there have been a lot of changes even since the last annual meeting there have been many changes some of them perhaps are a little surprising or may seem to be sudden but you know brothers and sisters when we look back on how these changes have come we can see that jehovah has gradually prepared us for each of these adjustments and changes let's review some of the recent changes we've had what changes have we seen with regard to our understand understanding of bible teachings at the 2021 annual meeting we received an adjusted understanding of john 529 it was explained that the resurrection of judgment will not be a judgment of condemnation rather it will be more like a period of probation the unrighteous mentioned at acts 24:15 will have an opportunity to gain everlasting life but their names will not be written wr in the book of life at the time of their resurrection to have their names eventually written in that book these ones will need to respond positively to the great educational work that will take place during the thousand-year reign then at the annual meeting in 2023 we gained enhanced insight into what we do know and what we don't know concerning jehovah's judgments we learned that the door of opportunity for people to take a stand for the kingdom does not shut when the great tribulation starts with the destruction of false religion at that time perhaps some will be like the egyptians in moses day who took a last minute stand and joined the exodus of god's people at the same annual meeting we adjusted our views with regard to jehovah's judgments of those who died in the flood and those who were destroyed in sodom and gomorrah also at that annual meeting an adjustment was made regarding the reporting of our time and activity in our preaching work instead of focusing on reports we try to make good use of every opportunity to witness then we receive the 2024 governing body update number two in that update we saw the need to adjust how we interact with those who have committed serious sins and have been removed from the congregation what other major adjustments have we recently seen in our preaching work the emphasis now is on studing bible studies and making disciples not on distributing literature to that end the focus is on studying meaningful conversations not just on using memorized presentations were you surprised by these adjustments perhaps so but as we look back we see how one adjustment in understanding gradually helped us with the next adjustment isn't it true that gradually jehovah has prepared us and when we look back on it we see how logical this training has been to refine our understanding but events in the world likewise have changed it's true sometimes in the world you have sudden changes for example the pandemic but often times change in the world is gradual isn't it true with regard to the view of morality homosexuality abortion even what's acceptable and not acceptable with regard to conduct all of that has happened gradually in the world and it's not until you look back and see how different the world is today with regard to those matters that we see that there have been a lot of changes but this can be dangerous because as things gradually change we may get used to gradual change and forget that there are some sudden changes about to occur uh let's take our bibles please and if you turn with me to the book of luke chap 21 now this is an example of sudden change in luke chap 21 uh notice there in verse 34 the words of our lord jesus are recorded and he said in verse 34 but pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with oving and heavy drinking and anxieties of life and suddenly suddenly that they be instantly instantly upon you it's interesting to note that jesus had already said that this day he was referring to would occur at a time that we don't think is likely so what lesson do we learn from what jesus said it's a warning isn't it that we can't just sit back and think well things are gradually going to develop we know which way it's going and maybe it's not going to happen yet you know got a little bit more wiggle room there with regard to the schedule but you see that's dangerous thinking now what we're going to do is consider two examples of areas where perhaps we could be a little guilty with regard to that for example our view as with regard to the number of anointed ones remaining on the earth now for many years what did we think we thought well that number would go down and down and down and down now i don't know about you but me i you when that report came out just how many how many partakers and and what were we thinking we probably you maybe we didn't say it but we were thinking you know the number will go down down down down and there'll be just a couple of old guys in a wheelchair who will get their reward well i'm exaggerating but that was sort of the feeling wasn't it but now what have we seen in recent years those numbers have gone up and up and not only that younger brothers have been appointed on the governing body now i know what you're all thinking two new ones how old are they we know you're not googling now but you will be but you see we need to be careful about what we're thinking with regard to the number of anointed ones left on earth you see 19 years ago i was appointed on the governing body even i thought i was too young now they tell me i'm not so young anymore but do we see the point what does the bible actually tell us with regard to this well it doesn't say the number would just dwindle down to just having a few uh older ones left no the great crowd of other sheep will be judged on the basis of how they deal with
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Sea Breeze
at the 2021 annual meeting we received an adjusted understanding of John 5:29 which explained that the resurrection of judgment will not be a judgment of condemnation rather it will be more like a period of probation
What a liar Jeffery jackson is. Isn't this the same jackass that told an Australian court that it would be presumptous to claim to speak for God? But we all know that the Watchtower DOES claim to speak for God. So I guess he labeled himself presumptous.
Dear Jeffery,
Is it also presumptousness on your part to claim that the judgement-damnation-condemnation for the unrighteous who are resurrected really means "probation" - like a get-out-of-jail-free card?
Scriptures says it is man's destiny to be judged AFTER they die in Heblews 9: 27 - "it is appointed unto man once to die and then judgment".
John 5: 28-29 all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
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Proof of two destinies for believers in the Bible, heavenly and earthly
by slimboyfat inthe jw idea that believers are destined either for heavenly life or for endless life on earth comes in for significant criticism by critics of various kinds.
even some groups, such as the christadelphians, who share belief in a future paradise earth, don’t share the view that some christians are destined for life in heaven.
yet there is surprisingly quite a lot of evidence in the bible for the existence of two distinct groups of believers.
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Sea Breeze
@aquseed,
Symbolic interpretation of literature has plagued the church from near the beginnig. It's initial promoters gave sometimes wonderful, if outlandish, exposition on scripture. But, it opened the door for later more unscrupulous people, especially heretics to distort clear meaning of scripture.
Amillenniaists do expound on the new birth and the ramifications of "the kingdom is with you". That's just fine, but it is not the only facet of the kingdom over time.
This issue is a prime example on how to allow the bible to interpret itself when symbols are used. If the symbol keys (meanings) are not provided, it is license, and not proper biblical exegesis being employed. I posted this on another thread a few days ago, For instance:Why didn't the apostles preach the Good News of the Kingdom instead of the Ministry of Reconcilition?
Paul clearly stated that God gave the apostles the ministry of reconciliation to preach to the Gentiles about.
As always, the bible answers itself and there is no need to shop around for theologians who may or may not be filled with the Holy Spirit that guides believers is all tuth. The answers are found in the Mystery Kingdom Parables, one in particular.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Mt. 13: 44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Most people interpret this short parable to mean that it is about a man who became a believer and sold everything he had to cherish and posess his new found faith.
That is NOT what this parable is about. The answer key is clearly outlined in vss 37-3937 - 39 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
So, now that we know that the "Man" is none other than Jesus Christ, and the "Field" is the world we can reread the parable and understand what Jesus meant about the Kingdom:
Mt. 13: 44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Jesus is the man who because of his great love for the world of mankind, gave up everything he owned and purchased the field the (world of humankind) with his own blood.
Jesus himself is the treasure, he hides it "in the field" inside of people. Again: Jesus himself is the kingdom that he hides inside of believers:
Luke 17: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Other scriptures echo this:
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you... Col. 3: 15
Also:
I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: of whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory - Col. 1: 25-27
Clearly the Kingdom of God exists in not one place, but TWO.
First: During the Church Age, the Kingdom of God exists in its mystery form, not readily discernible, hidden in "the field" inside of (mostly gentile) believers when they become "born again" and receive a new spirit as a downpayment for the entire redemption of the believer's soul and body to come.
Secondly: The literal Kindom of God will suddenly manifest when Jesus physically returns to end the genocidal reign of the Anti-Christ and establish his 1000 year reign on earth. If he didn't return, scriptures says that unless those days were cut short no flesh would be saved.
This (literal kingdom message) will be incredibly GOOD NEWS, but to who? Not you and me living in relative peace during the church age. No, but it will be fantastic news to those living during the reign of the Anti-Christ who through his various wars and conquests subjugates nearly the entire world where perhaps 2/3 to 3/4 of earth's population will be killed.
If you happen to be alive on earth at this time, for you the only thing that could count as good news, is if someone told you that a King was coming with the military muscle to unseat this genocidal Anti-Christ. A message about the Kingdom inside of you will not be good news at that time. Only a military solution that will stop the genocide will count as "good news"....someone who can put an end to all the killing.
And this is exacly what Jesus was talking about when addressing his Jewish friends in answer to the question, "When will the things be and what will be the sign of your coming....and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations and the the need will come".
144,000 male Jewish virgins will spearhead that global message. The real 144k will do it, not the fake ones in New York who claim to be (spiritual ) Jews. Remember, the Jews are still under blindness and are destined to go through the Great Tribulation (along with the rest of unbelieving mankind.)
The Church will not be on earth at this time. Having not been "appointed to wrath" they will escape the GT when they are evuacated at the Rapture.
The bottom line is that the Kingdom of God exists in its mystery form (inside the hearts of believers) during the church-age, but will suddenly manifest physically at worst of the Great Tribulation.
There are hundreds of scriptures and prophecies in the bible that speak of a literal kindom of God during the 1K reign of Christ. To just spiritualize this all away without a biblical key (like the kingdom parable example I provided above) on how to determine the meaning of the supposedly symbolic kindom verse under consideration is not sound biblical exegesis.
Symbolic interpretation might be entertaining and mosly harmless in the hands of a born-again Christian. But an unsaved heretic using the same device can wreck a lot of havoc on anyone attempting to understand the clear meaning of scripture through their twisted lens. -
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The Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the...organization.
by candidlynuts ini remember going out in service using the truth book .
" the truth that leads to everlasting life".
in its final couple of years, i remember how the catholic church's attempts to control what people read was part of our presentation.
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Sea Breeze
The 1971 book The Nations Shall Know that I am Jehovah" devotes chapter 4 - "Commissioned to Speak in the Divine Name" - to outlining why the Watch Tower Society was chosen in 1919 to "speak as a prophet in the name of Jehovah."
"commissioned to serve as the mouthpiece and active agent of Jehovah … Whom could the real "chariot" of Jehovah's organization roll up to and confront that He might bestow upon this qualified one the commission to speak as a prophet in the name of Jehovah?" The Nations Shall Know that I am Jehovah" - How? pp.59,61
Catholic Catechism #969 “Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.” Clearly the Catholic Church has lifted titles for the Holy Spirit and applied them to Mary. The title Mediatrix is the feminized version of Jesus‟ title as Mediator. The RCC makes Mary a co-mediator.
Catholic Catechism # 882 The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, "is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the 7 bishops and of the whole company of the faithful. For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered."
Like the Watchtower, the Pope sees himself as the visible head of God’s Kingdom on earth as opposed to the invisible authority of Jesus Christ. However, early Christians walked by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor. 5:7).
Like the RCC teaching that Mary is a Co-Mediator with Christ, Watchtower sees themselves as a similar co-mediator.
One of the Pope’s titles is the Vicar of Christ. The word vicar comes from the Latin word vicarius meaning substitution. The on-line version of the Pocket Catholic Dictionary defines the Vicar of Christ as: “The Pope, visible head of the Church on earth, acting for and in the place of Christ”.
However, this is in serious conflict with scripture. Can there be two heads on one body?
… Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. - Ephesians 5:23
Also like the Catholic Church which claims its traditions and unique teachings are equal to that of the bible, the Watchtower also views its teachings as part of the bible with the same authority:
Watchtower December 15, 2008, pg. 28 – “Our coming to know „the truth‟ - the entire body of Christian teachings that has become part of the Bible - and adhering to it are essential for our salvation”.
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Why did God give the Ministry of Reconciliation (Justification) to the apostles instead of the Kingdom message?
by Sea Breeze inwhy did god give the ministry of reconciliation (justification) to the apostles when starting churches rather that the kingdom message in matt.
24: 14 that jesus spoke about?
2 cor.
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Sea Breeze
All excellent points Vanderhoven. I counted the phrase "gospel of ______ " in the Textus Receptus (King James Version) once and this is what I found:
Gospel of Jesus Christ (or Christ ) – 12 times
Gospel of God – 7 times
Gospel of the kingdom – 4 times
Gospel of peace – 2 times
Gospel of the grace of God – 1 time
Gospel of your salvation – 1 time
Gospel of the uncircumcision – 1 time
Gospel of the circumcision – 1 time
Gospel of his Son – 1 time
Putting the list in one place makes it easy to see that by far the good news is about (in order of frequency):
1. Jesus / God (salvation & grace)
2. Kingdom
So, the salvation and grace that is offered by God through the person of Jesus is the primary message of what the Kingdom is, in the New Testament. He is the one who predicted that he would be killed and that he would resurrect himself from the dead...... something only God could do. He is the one who guarantees our safe passage into God's family with his own blood. Jesus is primarily the good news. We are all related to him as sons and daughters of Adam, hence he has the legal right to redeem us as our Kinsman Redeemer and pay our debt if he chooses to do so. He chose to do so.
Yet, Jesus singled out the good news of the Kingdom when speaking to his closest Jewish friends about end times, the end of one dispensation (of grace) and the beginning of another (the kingdom age).
But, Paul later stated that God gave the apostles the ministry of reconciliation to preach to the Gentiles about.
Why the seeming discrepency in messages? That is what this tread is all about.
As always, the bible answers itself and there is no need to shop around for theologians who may or may not be filled with the Holy Spirit that guides believers is all tuth. The answers are found in the Mystery Kingdom Parables, one in particular.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
Mt. 13: 44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Most people interpret this short parable to mean that it is about a man who became a believer and sold everything he had to cherish and posess his new found faith.
That is NOT what this parable is about. The answer key is clearly outlined in vss 37-3937 - 39 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
So, now that we know that the "Man" is none other than Jesus Christ, and the "Field" is the world we can reread the parable and understand what Jesus meant about the Kingdom:
Mt. 13: 44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Jesus is the man who because of his great love for the world of mankind, gave up everything he owned and purchased the field the (world of humankind) with his own blood.
Jesus himself is the treasure, he hides it "in the field" inside of people. Again: Jesus himself is the kingdom that he hides inside of believers:
Luke 17: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Other scriptures echo this:
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you... Col. 3: 15
Also:
I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: of whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory - Col. 1: 25-27
Clearly the Kingdom of God exists in not one place, but TWO.
First: During the Church Age, the Kingdom of God exists in its mystery form, not readily discernible, hidden in "the field" inside of (mostly gentile) believers when they become "born again" and receive a new spirit as a downpayment for the entire redemption of the believer's soul and body to come.
Secondly: The literal Kindom of God will suddenly manifest when Jesus physically returns to end the genocidal reign of the Anti-Christ and establish his 1000 year reign on earth. If he didn't return, scriptures says that unless those days were cut short no flesh would be saved.
This will be incredibly GOOD NEWS, but to who? Not you and me living in relative peace during the church age. No, but it will be fantastic news to those living during the reign of the Anti-Christ who through his various wars and conquests subjugates nearly the entire world where perhaps 2/3 of earth's population will die.
If you are alive at this time, for you the only thing that could count as good news, is if someone told you that a King was coming with the military muscle to unseat this Royal Genocidal Jackass - the Anti-Christ. A message about the Kingdom inside of you will not be good news at that time. Only a military solution that will stop the genocide will count as "good news"....someone who can put an end to all the killing.
And this is exacly what Jesus was talking about when addressing his Jewish friends in answer to the question, "When will the things be adn what will be the sign of your coming....and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations and the the need will come".
144,000 male Jewish virgins will spearhead that global message. The real 144k will do it, not the fake ones in New York who claim to be (spiritual ) Jews. Remember, the Jews are still under blindness and are destined to go through the Great Tribulation (along with the rest of unbelieving mankind.) The Church will not be on earth at this time. Having not been "appointed to wrath" they will escape the GT when they are evuacated at the Rapture.
So what is the real take-away of all this for you and me living in 2024 as XJW's?
If you really want to defeat the Watchtower. If they have stolen your family, your mental health and happiness; if you really want to win - then Jesus has a message for you:
Rev. 3: 9 - Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Whether you are a believer or not; If you are an XJW, you have the same enemies as Jesus does. He wants you to know that. If you accept his invitation to get your sins forgiven and allow him to rule in your hearts during this age of grace, then he will exalt you in due time and you will witness Knorr, Franz, Russell and all the other impostors be forced to bend their knee before king Jesus, and they will be forced to know, before they are cast into everlasting fire, that Jesus loved you and rejected them.