Posts by Vidqun

60

Sign of the Last Days

by Fisherman in

in the sermon on the mount, jesus foretold that earthquakes “in one place after another” would be part of the sign of the last days clímaxing in the great tribulation.. what could jesus possibly have meant?

using a phone app nowadays, there are earthquakes detected in one place after another but is this what jesus meant and did they have so many earthquakes throughout the centuries affter his prophecy or are these modern day detected earthquakes unique to this epoch?

how can we be sure unequivocally that modern day earthquakes are part of the sign fulfilling bible prophecy?.

Vidqun

Anony Mous, there is one interesting exception. All 193 nations are members of the UN. Granted, it is toothless at this stage. But that might not be the case for much longer. As you might have noticed, WHO is interested in a biomedical security setup for the nations. And have you seen the UNESCO guidelines for the training of children in their "International Guidance for Sexuality"? Also most nations have signed the 2030 Development Goals. What will happen to those nations who cannot or will not comply to such "guidelines"?

60

Sign of the Last Days

by Fisherman in

in the sermon on the mount, jesus foretold that earthquakes “in one place after another” would be part of the sign of the last days clímaxing in the great tribulation.. what could jesus possibly have meant?

using a phone app nowadays, there are earthquakes detected in one place after another but is this what jesus meant and did they have so many earthquakes throughout the centuries affter his prophecy or are these modern day detected earthquakes unique to this epoch?

how can we be sure unequivocally that modern day earthquakes are part of the sign fulfilling bible prophecy?.

Vidqun

Perhaps not only look at one aspect of the sign, look at all of them. I would say there is definitely an increase of amount and intensity. Because there's more independent nations, there's more "rebellions." Lots of conflicts over the years, but not world wars as such. Because of the increase in people, millions are facing famine. What is still outstanding is the "terrifying sights and great signs from heaven."

9 And when you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be afraid. For these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once."

10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

11 There will be great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. (Lk. 21:9-11 NET)

32

Sagely advice of a CO

by Vidqun in

“a circuit overseer started out by saying that on this last round of the circuit, the one thing he noticed the most...is that everyone is physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained...and that cuts across all barriers and demographics within the truth.

he then said that the one common thread that ran among nearly everyone was this: we feel guilty for feeling bad.

he said because we are told to endure with joy, our minds can cause us to feel enormous guilt over feeling this way...and then, my dear brothers and sisters...he proceeded to blow our collective minds.. he asked us to turn to daniel 8:27….

Vidqun

“A Circuit Overseer started out by saying that on this last round of the circuit, the one thing he noticed the most...is that everyone is physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained...and that cuts across all barriers and demographics within the truth.

He then said that the one common thread that ran among nearly everyone was this: We feel GUILTY for feeling bad. He said because we are told to endure with joy, our minds can cause us to feel enormous guilt over feeling this way...and then, my dear brothers and sisters...he proceeded to blow our collective minds.

He asked us to turn to Daniel 8:27…

"As for me, Daniel, I felt exhausted and I was sick for some days. Then I got up and carried out the king’s work; but I was numbed by what I had seen, and no one could understand it."

He asked if we knew what Daniel was referring to, but other than the fact that this was obviously a vision of Daniel's, we had no idea. He then asked one of us to go back to verse 19 and read that verse...and as soon as it was read... suddenly his point came straight into focus…it says:

"Then he said: “Here I am causing you to know what will happen in the final part of the denunciation, because it is for the appointed time of the end."

"Appointed time of the end!" As we all sat there, stunned and awestruck, he told us that here Jehovah had chosen to give Daniel a teeny tiny little sliver of a vision of what WE would have to endure in our day, in the last days...and then he said, "Did anyone notice in verse 27 how it made Daniel FEEL?" We re-read Daniel's words...EXHAUSTED...SICK FOR SOME DAYS...NUMBED...NO ONE COULD UNDERSTAND.

He pointed out that, while it didn't stop Daniel from carrying out the King's work, if that's how that single little TASTE, (in a vision no less), of what we go through every single day was enough to make Daniel feel that way...is it any wonder we feel the way we do LIVING through it?

Jehovah knows what we go through. He knows how hard we struggle.

The loving Circuit Overseer then said that, while we definitely absolutely need joy to serve Jehovah faithfully...we also need balance...and that means acknowledging those negative feelings that we all experience and finding scriptural ways to cope with them.

Jehovah's realistic view on our negative feelings is so encouraging.

And another detail: even after everything Daniel went through, Jehovah, in effect, told him..."Let me give you just a little TASTE of what THEY will have to endure.”

What a way, what a profound method for Jehovah to reach out across time and link his servants together."

***

This encouraging CO talk reached me over WhatsApp, so not sure who gave it or where it's from. The narrator certainly had great admiration/veneration of his CO. Nevertheless, I find the connection between Daniel and the congregation is somewhat of a long shot. Daniel, by then, was very old and he was adversely affected by the visions and not the conditions surrounding him. And such is the depth of their understanding of the prophetic word, they had to compare Daniel's illness with the illness and depression of them "feeling guilty of feeling bad." And please take note, the vaxxes have absolutely nothing to do with the deteriorating health of the brothers. What a cop out!

28

The pushing berween the K of N and K of S

by Kosonen in

jw
friends

the brics summit was big this year.

new member states were added.

interesting that they call themselves the global south.

Vidqun

I think this IMF projection bothers the West.

28

The pushing berween the K of N and K of S

by Kosonen in

jw
friends

the brics summit was big this year.

new member states were added.

interesting that they call themselves the global south.

Vidqun

No matter how one looks at it, it’s the fulfillment of prophecy. United States and allies (unipolar) vs. Sino-Russia and followers (multipolar), to give rise to a bipolar world (Dan. 2:41; 11:40; cf. 1 Peter 1:19-21).

26

Exes: Would You Rat On A Current JW?

by NotFormer in

it's an interesting thought.

if you are an ex jw, presumably dfed, and you see a current jw in good standing engaging in behaviour that would concern their elders, would you pass on that information to interested parties?

do accusations from exes and other outsiders carry any weight?

Vidqun

If you do that, you're endorsing their system. If it is a serious matter, e.g., murder or child molestation, rather report it to the police.

35

the sounding of the trumpet

by enoughisenough in

i will risk showing my ignorance but i had some questioning thoughts in my head lately...maybe those more scholarly than me have insight.

jw teach that the anointed who now die go immediately to heaven.

when lazarus had died martha said she knew he would rise on the last day.

Vidqun

I agree. The end of the world as we know it. It's already changing. The breaking of the seals is not in chronological order. But the trumpet blasts and plagues will take place with military precision.

Like many theologians you seem to be conflating trumpet blast and plague. Two different judgments for two different time periods. Trumpet blasts aimed at the world in general. The plagues are aimed at all of the enemies of God and his enthroned Son.

First the great tribulation, then comes Armageddon, i.e., the Day of the LORD. The nations are still preparing after the 6th plague.

The 7th seal introduces the seven trumpets. Fifth trumpet (first woe) the locust-scorpions torment the people for five months. Afterwards they are freed. Christians will move to the countryside. Jesus is enthroned in the days of the 7th trumpet. The 7th trumpet blast also heralds the first resurrection and introduces the seven plagues. Plague 5 hits the throne of the beast. Only during plague 7, after the destruction of the cities of the nations, is Babylon called to mind.

After the plagues is the marriage of the Lamb. Same chapter discusses Armageddon.

I agree. There will be preaching during the tribulation. First succesful preaching campaign would be during first half of the tribulation. Second campaign will be a failure according to Dan. 8. Then it would be a time to flee, not preach.

I would welcome your shortened version of the great tribulation. I might just be able to survive if the days are shortened.

35

the sounding of the trumpet

by enoughisenough in

i will risk showing my ignorance but i had some questioning thoughts in my head lately...maybe those more scholarly than me have insight.

jw teach that the anointed who now die go immediately to heaven.

when lazarus had died martha said she knew he would rise on the last day.

Vidqun

EasyPrompt, not that I want to belabor the issue, but 3 1/2 years = 42 months = 1,260 days. Not sure where your 1,150 days fit in (I understand now after seeing your chart).

In Revelation 3 1/2 years is connected to the public ministry of the two prophets, the trampling of the courtyard of the temple and the hiding of the woman from the dragon. Daniel connects it to the 3 1/2 years of harassment of God's people by the big horn. Last but not least, it its mentioned in connection with the breaking of the power of God's people.

Where do you read "Day of the LORD" or Armageddon is an instantaneous event? Did you read Zechariah 14? Everything will be "congealed," frozen. No sunrise or sunset. One day, however long it takes.

And to repeat, the creative days of Genesis 1 are completely unconnected to Daniel's 2,300 evening-morning time scale. Not sure how you connect the two.

I am also not sure how you connect the resurrection with the end of 1,260 days. Perhaps you can explain that to me.

7 trumpet blasts (first half). 7 plagues (second half). So 5 months would occur in the days of the fifth trumpet. Locust-scorpions will torment all, not only the religious folk. Babylon will only be destroyed at the end of the tribulation (in the days of the 7th plague).

I have a problem with 2,300 until the holy place is brought into its right condition. That will only be after Armageddon (cf. Dan. 12:7 and the second half of the tribulation IMHO)..

I agree with the 1,290 days.

I see your 1,290 and 1,335 days overlap. Is there a basis for that? Only hope for your shortened version of the great tribulation is if the days were cut short.

14

"Outside the realms" of the words meaning?

by Blotty in

i was recently doing some research and came across this curious quite from dr beduhn - i can't say how valid it is or if he actually said it (source linked).

but this got me thinking i don't think there is anything in any bible where it is a "deliberate" distortion or the words go against the "possible range of meanings the greek" could have.

i know beduhn is not considered an authority however he does have a point - if its in the range of meanings it is by no means a mistranslation & cannot be pointed out as such.

Vidqun

PetrW, here's a few alternative translations, proving the veracity of Prof. BeDuhn's words. Don't think any of these translators had any contact with JWs, yet they translate it the same as the NWT.

Example 1: (and persons, coming out from among the memorial tombs after his being raised up, entered into the holy city,) and they became visible to many people. (Matt. 27:53 NWT)

(They came out of the tombs after his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.) (Matt. 27:53 NET)

Example 2: and everyone that is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all. (Jn. 11:26 NWT)

Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die-- ever. (Jn. 11:26 CSB)

Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. (Jn. 11:26 NLT)

Example 3: (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. (Rev. 20:5 NWT)

(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished.) This is the first resurrection. (Rev. 20:5 NET)

(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over.) This is the first resurrection. (Rev. 20:5 CJB)

(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. (Rev. 20:5 NIB)

(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. (Rev. 20:5 NIV)

35

the sounding of the trumpet

by enoughisenough in

i will risk showing my ignorance but i had some questioning thoughts in my head lately...maybe those more scholarly than me have insight.

jw teach that the anointed who now die go immediately to heaven.

when lazarus had died martha said she knew he would rise on the last day.

Vidqun

EasyPrompt, here's my version of the timeline for what it's worth. Two witnesses will start their public ministry after the 6th trumpet blast according to Revelation chronology. Their ministry would last 3 1/2 years, ending with the onset of the 5th plague. The first resurrection would then take place in the days of the 7th trumpet. Half of the tribulation: 3 1/2 years. The second resurrection would start after Armageddon (cf. Dan. 12:13).

1) Sum total: Great Tribulation + Battle of Armageddon: 1,290 days + 1,335 days = 2,625 days

Day of the LORD: 2,625 days - 2,520 days = 105 days or 3½ months. The full duration of the LORD’s Day is therefore 105 days or 3½ months (from the end of the Tribulation to Armageddon). Only after 2,625 days had run their course, would the surviving observers be declared happy (Dan. 12:11-13; cf. Rev. 7:9, 14). The last chapter of Daniel and the activities of the King of the North here should be seen within the context of the Great Tribulation (Dan. 11:40-12:1, 4, 7, 10).

2) 360 days + 1,260 days + 105 days = 1,725 days

Evening-morning: 1) The two nouns are singular. 2) Lit. an “evening-morning” time unit (not time, year or day), resulting in a most unusual time scale. 3) Evening in Hebrew means when the sun goes down. Morning means first light, when the sun comes up, until midday when the sun is at its zenith. Afternoon, when the day starts to fade, is not part of the equation. 4) One evening-morning is therefore 18/24 hours = ¾ of a day. 2300 evening-morning x ¾ = 1725 days. This literal interpretation does not necessarily deviate from Hebrew usage (Dan. 8:14, 26; cf. Ex. 16:8-13; 1 Kings 17:6).

Day of the LORD: 1,725 days - (1,260 days + 360 days) = 105 days or 3½ months. In other words, 1,725 days - (360 days + 105 days) = 1,260 days of the second half of the Tribulation (Dan. 8:13, 14). I believe the duration of the Tribulation to be 7 years or 2520 days. The length of both trumpet blast and plague would then be in the vicinity of 180 days each, provided plague and trumpet blast are of the same length (180 days x 14 trumpet blasts/plagues = 2520 days). King of the South as part of Beast from the abyss will only start launching attacks on God’s people and the two prophets after the sixth trumpet blast (Dan. 7:25; 8:11-14; 11:40; cf. Rev. 9:4, 12, 13; 11:2-8, 14, 15). Trumpet blast 6&7: 180 days x 2 = 360 days.

3) The LORD’s Day: Jehovah’s Day = 105 days or 3½ months (without sunrise or sunset) = 1 “day.” See Zech. 14:1, 6, 7.