Posts by Vidqun

132

the bible and its prophecies

by Crazyguy in

i have been doing a lot of research on the bible and its roots so to speak and its becoming clearer that the jews like other races took gods and stories from others and made them their own.

its also become clear that many of the books were written later then stated, like daniel probably written about a hundred years before christ and some of it maybe even after.

but what i don't get is the prophecies.

Here’s a few different takes on the calculation of the seventy weeks. All of these scholars apply it to the Christ. The phrase “to bring in everlasting righteousness” (Dan. 9:24 ESV) can only refer to the Christ. Applying this to Antiochus IV Epiphanes is ridiculous:

Those who take the messianic view of this prophecy and who understand the time reckoning literally do not all hold to the same method of calculation. Gleason Archer and Stephen Miller believe that the sixty-nine sevens extended from the decree of Artaxerxes with Ezra about 457 BC to the commencement of Christ’s public ministry in 26/27 CE, based on solar year calculations (Gleason Archer, “Daniel,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 7 [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985], pp. 114-116; Stephen Miller, Daniel, New American Commentary [Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994], pp. 263-265). But Harold Hoehner and Paul Feinberg believe that the sixty-nine sevens extend from the decree of Artaxerxes with Nehemiah in 444 BC to the passion week of Christ in 33 CE, based on prophetic or lunar years of 360 days. With either view the effect is the same: the calculations are literally true of Christ (Hoehner, “Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ; Part VI: Daniel’s Seventy Weeks and New Testament Chronology,” pp. 47-65; and Feinberg, “An Exegetical and Theological Study of Daniel 9:24-27,” pp. 189-220).

132

the bible and its prophecies

by Crazyguy in

i have been doing a lot of research on the bible and its roots so to speak and its becoming clearer that the jews like other races took gods and stories from others and made them their own.

its also become clear that many of the books were written later then stated, like daniel probably written about a hundred years before christ and some of it maybe even after.

but what i don't get is the prophecies.

Vidqun

Cofty, my interpretation of Dan. 9 is Messianic, but you won't like that. So I concentrated on a part that is irrefutable, even if you want to ascribe a later date to the book. The fact that the prophecy occurs in multiple book form amongst the DSS, is indicative of an early date, as some have already mentioned. Also Daniel believed in the resurrection and the book of life, whereas Hellenistic Jews started believing in the immortality of the soul (see Maccabees, Philo). Last but not least is the Aramaic portions, written in Official Aramaic, indicating an early date for parts of Daniel. Jesus encouraged the study of the book, which Christians take to heart.

132

the bible and its prophecies

by Crazyguy in

i have been doing a lot of research on the bible and its roots so to speak and its becoming clearer that the jews like other races took gods and stories from others and made them their own.

its also become clear that many of the books were written later then stated, like daniel probably written about a hundred years before christ and some of it maybe even after.

but what i don't get is the prophecies.

Vidqun

The prophecy of Dan. 9:26 impresses me no end.

Now after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one will be cut off and have nothing. As for the city and the sanctuary, the people of the coming prince will destroy them. But his end will come speedily like a flood. Until the end of the war that has been decreed there will be destruction. (Dan 9:26 NET)

Modern scholars apply this prophecy to Antiochus IV Epiphanes. However, he and his hencemen might have desecrated the temple, but they never destroyed Jerusalem. Jesus correctly apply this to the Romans. Shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, the Arch of Titus was erected in Rome to honor Titus. This monument is there for all to see.

10

So THAT'S why JWs don't wear beards!

by leaving_quietly in

comment by elder:.

"some people say the hebrews didn't shave, so why should we?

" then he proceeded to quote genesis 41:14:.

Vidqun

Take note: Shaving was an EGYPTIAN (pagan) custom. On their murals, they depict themselves as bald headed and clean-shaven. When in Egypt, do as the Egyptians do.

44

Has anyone found comfort/encouragement from "worldly songs"?

by awakening in

jw
friends

i remember reading a thread when my exit was starting, about inspirational songs.

someone posted a link to the "shins" for a fool.

this was a surprising help to me.

Vidqun

A lot of inspirational songs already mentioned, but two assisted me in my quest for freedom:

1) Wisemen by James Blunt. "Got to ask yourself the question: Where are you now?"

2) White Room by Cream (Eric Clapton). "In the white room with black curtains near the station..."

39

What are the feelings/thoughts within 24-48 hours of exposure to an undeniably true (for you) TATT?

by NeverKnew in

many of us know where we were during 9/11 or when john kennedy and martin luther king were killed.. it seems that when faced with ttatt, real truth is dismissed as "ol' light" or "an imperfect group of men" but from what i gather, many of you, at some point, were hit with a component of ttatt that shattered all of those cliches that allowed you to brush off the obvious reality that something was very wrong.

some of you may remember the hours following your earliest exposures to an undeniably true tatt.

did you zone completely out?

Vidqun

The edifice.

UN/OSCE fiasco, pedophilia, CoC, and lies,

A tidal wave of destruction.

An edifice under construction for thirty years in ruins.

As murky water dissipates, enter the light.

History and prophecy are not to be denied.

Every effort of man to emulate God and establish true worship to fail.

Brick by brick,

To start anew.

May this edifice be fire resistant and earthquake proof.

35

Confused?

by nomorepain13 in

i have been going to meetings since i was a child, long story short only recently i've started taking the truth seriously, i am not baptized but just an unbaptized publisher.

truth is i am so lonely in the congregation.

the other young people in the cong don't like me because they dont think i am going to "stay" for long, i've even worked on the ministry with an older brother and asked her am i giving the wrong impression to people?

Vidqun

Nomorepain13, I can sympathize with you. Here's a few thoughts:

You might not realize it, but you have been judged, even though they don't know the real you. Jesus had a lot to say about judging. You can look it up in a concordance. Recall what would be an outstanding trait of the true religion. Clue: John 13:34, 35. Are you experiencing true Christian love or are you experiencing something else?

Remember, you have been judged by people that do not really know you. Even if they do accept you for what you are and who you are, they will exercise conditional love, as some have mentioned already.The term conditional love does not appear in the Bible. Can you see the problem? If you do not conform to their way of thinking, you will be rejected. Is it a case of trying to force a round peg in a square hole?

So, where should you start? This has also been said already. To build up your self-worth: Study, study, study. Choose a career path and study hard to achieve your goals. Study the Bible and the so-called truth. No, don't just study current truth (as it is now), also study where it comes from and where it's going. Is this not what the Bible encourages us to do? (See Prov. 2) Only then will you be in a position to make important decisions that is going to affect your life. My five cents worth.

13

"No Ammonite or Moabite shall enter the assembly..." = Implications

by EdenOne in

jw
friends

and they named him obed.

jesse was the father of david the king.

matthew 1:6, 7 - " and jesse the father of king david.

Vidqun

Eden, this depends on one's understanding of the Hebrew word 'ohlam. If you translate it as "forever," like most Bible translators, then it becomes a problem. This meaning is traced to the origin of the word. Here is what TDOT has to say:

Times indefinite. Hidden or remote time. Aram. (sing.) or (plur.); 244b; Heb. sometimes m., pl.—what is hidden; specially hidden time, long; the beginning or end of which is either uncertain or else not defined. 244a never. According to context, it could point to: 1) Of time long past, antiquity, e.g., Deut. 32:7; Am. 9:11; Mic. 7:14; Is. 63:9. 2) Mostly it refers to future time, in such a manner, that what is called the terminus ad quem, is always defined from the nature of the thing itself.

Its etymology has been and remains disputed or at best uncertain, and the various studies suggest that no real progress has been made. Following E. Jenni, most scholars translate `oulām as “long time” or “farthest, remotest time.” Various nuances of this translation must then also be distinguished contextually. See TDOT, vol. X, p. 531.

So, according to TDOT, vol. XI, p. 149, an etymological relationship between `lm and `oulām seems unlikely. However, I personally believe that the word is semantically related to the verb `ālam and the noun ta`älumâ belonging to the semantic field “to hide.” So by translating it as "hidden time" or "indefinite time," one would alleviate the problem somewhat.

11

March of the world powers in DANIEL 2. Proof the Bible is the inspired word of God. Wadda ya think?

by punkofnice in

.

how would you answer the jw that says that the vision of daniel predicting world powers into the future (where the toes have no significance according to the wbt$), is proof of the inspired prophecy in the bible?.

could it be that the 'powers' are not actually named and can be interpreted any way you want?.

Vidqun

I personally view the Second World War and the development of the atomic bomb as an important milestone. Now man has developed to a point where he can destroy himself and his home. Policies of deterant, e.g., Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) and "balance of terror," are not reassuring at all. And there's a book out about the mistakes and accidents involving nuclear warheads in the US the last century. It makes for frightening reading. We should have learnt from the baby swallow, which defecates outside the nest (on the porch floor). If there is a God, now would be a good time for him to jump in to save the planet and its inhabitants.

12

How NON-VIOLENT is the Watchtower really?

by Fernando in

looking only skin deep, and at outward appearances, the watchtower does indeed seem to be non-violent.. however it is what one is at heart that really counts.. the watchtower tricks their followers into going to jail to parade themselves as "non-violent" "religious objectors" (instead of genuine "conscientious objectors").. however as jesus said our hidden disposition will be revealed by our fruits.. behind the well-crafted facade i personally find the watchtower to be deeply and maliciously violent, vindictive and venomous at heart.. anyone who dares question or expose them is speedily killed, albeit declared spiritually dead to friends and family.. these same friends and family are:.

taken spiritually captive and held hostage (can't leave with honour and credibility intact)spiritually starved (and fed badly tainted "food")spiritually, psychologically, and mentally tortured (cognitive dissonance whilst kept voiceless)spiritually raped (seduced into prostitution with the god of religion, and into snubbing the god of abraham and his message the liberating, unabridged, explicit and naked gospel or "good news")regardless of how valid their case may be, detractors are routinely undermined, discredited, labelled, misrepresented and slandered.. how do you see the watchtower's supremacist parading of their supposed non-violence?.

Vidqun

Smiddy, this is from the OSCE website. Who we are?

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities.

All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.