I_love_Jeff
JoinedPosts by I_love_Jeff
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15
Why is Paradise Earth to be taken literally?
by I_love_Jeff inwhy do the jehovah's witnesses feel that paradise earth is a literal place?.
i posted this question in yahoo answers if anyone is interested: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20150125163818aatmbtr.
why believe poetic promised land prophecy is to be taken literally, but scriptures saying the earth will end must be taken figuratively?
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I_love_Jeff
leaving_quietly, yes of course. This particular study may a take a while, though, due to the JW argument given above. Thank you for your patience. -
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Why is Paradise Earth to be taken literally?
by I_love_Jeff inwhy do the jehovah's witnesses feel that paradise earth is a literal place?.
i posted this question in yahoo answers if anyone is interested: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20150125163818aatmbtr.
why believe poetic promised land prophecy is to be taken literally, but scriptures saying the earth will end must be taken figuratively?
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I_love_Jeff
@leaving_quietly-May I use your reasoning in my notes/my counterargument?? -
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Why is Paradise Earth to be taken literally?
by I_love_Jeff inwhy do the jehovah's witnesses feel that paradise earth is a literal place?.
i posted this question in yahoo answers if anyone is interested: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20150125163818aatmbtr.
why believe poetic promised land prophecy is to be taken literally, but scriptures saying the earth will end must be taken figuratively?
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I_love_Jeff
Any counterarguments would be greatly appreciated. I am doing a study on this particular response. I have come across some faulty reasoning thus far...................LOL go figure.
Here is what a Jehovah's Witness has to say about the topic:
"You are confusing poetry with figurative expressions. Poetry has nothing to do with whether something is figurative or literal. Only the immediate and greater context determines if something is figurative or literal.
An examination of the verses which state that the earth will exist forever shows that these are explicit & not symbolic. On the other hand, EVERY verse which is used in an attempt to show that the earth will be destroyed is actually in a symbolic context or a hyperbolic comparison (e.g. “I’ll love you till the wind stops blowing”).
The rules of exegesis state that you cannot use symbolic terminology to contradict what is explicitly stated.
First you are incorrect in your claim that the verses saying the earth is forever occur in “poetic Promised Land prophecy” which must not “be taken literally.” None of these verses are found in promised land contexts.
The context of Ps.37:29 contains no mention of any limit to a “land” nor any figurative language.
Ps. 104:5 and 148:3-7 are explicitly speaking of the *creation* of the literal heavens and earth–the cosmos in its totality!!
Ec.1:4 is explicitly speaking literally of the whole earth and its solar and water cycles!!
So these scriptures explicitly show that the literal physical earth will exist forever and that righteous humans will inherit eternal life on it.
There is another obvious error in your statements which skews your interpretation. That is, you state: “Forever and time indefinite can be figurative and come to an end.” This is an erroneous and misleading statement which is only half right.
Yes, the word at 1Kgs 1:31 is OLAM and literally denotes “time indefinite” but it also can carry the connotation of “eternity” depending on the context and parallel texts.
But your statement is false because the Hebrew word for “forever” is ‘AD and always means "eternal" (1Ch 28:9; Ps 19:9; Isa 9:6; 45:17; Hab 3:6; Dan.12:3). This is the word used of the earth lasting “forever.” So God’s Word EXPLICITLY states that the earth will exist "forever" or for "eternity" (‘AD).
Next, you are completely incorrect when you say that poetic verses “referring to earth lasting forever...are not literal, nor refer to Jesus kingdom rule.”
The fact is that EVERY prophetic OT reference to Jesus and his eternal kingdom rule is found in poetic verses. And ALL the verses speaking of God’s eternity are in “poetic” sections of the Bible (See the poetic formatting in RSV, NEB, NIV, NAB, etc.).
For example, look at Ps 45:6 speaking of Christ’s eternal kingdom kingdom rule is found in poetic verses. And ALL the verses speaking of God’s eternity are in “poetic” sections of the Bible (See the poetic formatting in RSV, NEB, NIV, NAB, etc.).
For example, look at Ps 45:6 speaking of Christ’s eternal kingdom rule and the corroborating quote at Heb 1:8: Christ’s throne is “forever and ever.”
Then look at EVERY reference in the OT speaking of the eternity God, of God’s “eternal kingship,” God’s “eternal love” & etc. They are ALL in poetic writings! (e.g., Ps.10:16; 48:14; 52:8; Isa. 57:15).
Are you really going to insist that God Himself, God’s love, or Christ’s rule are not going to literally last “forever” simply because these statements are found in poetic prophecy statements?!!!
Yes the word translated as “earth” (ERETS) can refer to “land” or to a “region.” And your verses demonstrate places where *the context* makes those senses obvious (such as when there is a parallel like: “land and sea”. Or it is used with a possessive: “land of Israel”). At the same time the context is often just as clear that the meaning must be “the earth” for example when there is a parallel like “heaven and earth”; “sun, moon, and earth.” (cf. Girdelstone's “Synonyms of the OT.” The “BDB Hebrew Lexicon.” Vine's “Dict. Of the OT”)
When the word “forever” is used with ERETS, it DEMANDS that the reference be to the “earth.” It would be ridiculously illogical to try and apply this to “land,” since you can’t have just a part of the earth exist forever! So we always have non-figurative contexts stating that the “earth” and “righteous humans” will exist to *eternity* (‘AD). Then we have further evidence with such verses as Ps. 104:5 which combines both the words “time indefinite” (OLAM) and ‘AD: “time indefinite and forever.” This phrase “forever and ever” is a common intensification and denotes an assured and absolute eternity *eternity*. This intensifying doubling of words is ONLY used of something which will literally exist to eternity! (Ps 9:5; 10:16; 21;4; 45:6,17; 48:14; 52:8; 119:44; 145:1,2,21; Dan.12:3; Mic 4:5).
Further, the context of the whole Bible makes it very clear that the earth & humans on it will exist to eternity:
First, a very powerful evidence that the earth will literally last forever is because it was God’s clearly stated purpose. Genesis shows that God’s purpose was to have humans cultivate and live *forever* on a paradise earth (Gen.1:28:2:15-17; Isa 45:18). They would die *only* if they were disobedient, otherwise they would have continued to live forever on earth in accord with God’s will.
Next, the “poetic” promises regarding the earths eternality are confirmed as literal by Christ’s own words: At Mt. 5:5
Christ adopted the words of Ps.37 clearly showing that the promise of an eternal earth held true. I don’t see even a hint of symbolism in Christ’s words! Christ explicitly stated that God’s will for the earth would certainly come about just as it would in heaven (Mt.6:9,10; Isa.55:10,11. c.f., Mt 19:28; Eph.1:10; Rm. 8:21).
The Jews did not have any idea of inheriting a paradise in heaven. Biblical and secular history proves that the Jews up to Christ's time looked to a restored earthly paradise. So when the Jews questioned him about how to “inherit everlasting life,” they were also confirming that the promises found in Psalms were of a literal earth (Mt 19:16; Lk 10:25-27).
Finally, Rev.21:3,4 shows that God’s original purpose would be realized. The ultimate outcome is God will be with HUMANKIND and there will be “no more death.”
So Witnesses base their teaching on what God's Word *explicitly* states.
No matter how hard we may search, we will find no Bible text that contradicts the fact that the earth is eternal. "
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15
Why is Paradise Earth to be taken literally?
by I_love_Jeff inwhy do the jehovah's witnesses feel that paradise earth is a literal place?.
i posted this question in yahoo answers if anyone is interested: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20150125163818aatmbtr.
why believe poetic promised land prophecy is to be taken literally, but scriptures saying the earth will end must be taken figuratively?
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I_love_Jeff
Why do the Jehovah's Witnesses feel that Paradise Earth is a literal place?
I posted this question in Yahoo Answers if anyone is interested: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20150125163818AAtmbTRWhy believe poetic Promised Land prophecy is to be taken literally, but Scriptures saying the earth will end must be taken figuratively?
End of Earth-Not literal??
Psalms 102:25-26, Isaiah 51:6-,Isaiah 65:17-18,Matthew 24:34-35, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Hebrews 1:10-12, 2 Peter 3:10-13
2 Bible books referring to earth lasting to time indefinite or forever: Psalms and Ecclesiastes, both devoted to poetry.
Psalm 37:29 (see also Psalm 104:5; Psalm 78:69; Psalm 104:5; Ecclesiastes 1:2-4)
Taken from poetic books, these are not literal, nor refer to Jesus kingdom rule. As the Watchtower admits, the accepted meaning is that they refer to the Israelites inheriting the Promised Land.
“‘E´rets can refer to a distinct region or to the territory of a nation, such as “the land of Shinar” or “the land of Egypt.”—Genesis 10:10, 11; 21:21; Psalm 78:12; Jeremiah 25:20.
So Psalm 37:11, 29 might indicate that the Israelites could have been and should have been permanent occupants of the Promised Land. In accord with God’s covenant with Abraham, they could have remained in that territory that God gave them, with generation after generation enjoying his blessings there.” Watchtower 1986 Jan 1 p.31
Forever and time indefinite can be figurative and come to an end, such as at 1 Kings 1:31
Why believe poetic Promised Land prophecy is to be taken literally, but Scriptures saying the earth will end must be taken figuratively?Here is something interesting to note:
The Watchtower identifies this as heaven;
"Eating in "the Paradise of God." Revelation 2:7 mentions a "tree of life" in "the paradise of God" and that eating from it would be the privilege of the one "that conquers." Since other promises given in this section of Revelation to such conquering ones clearly relate to their gaining a heavenly inheritance (Re 2:26-28; 3:12, 21), it seems evident that "the paradise of God" in this case is a heavenly one."Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 p.576 Paradise -
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Did Jehovah program us to have a free will? If so, how free are we?
by I_love_Jeff insince the jehovah's witnesses believe we have no indwelling immortal spirit, are we like robots programmed with a special code called "free will"??
since robots have no indwelling immortal spirit, they can be programmed to do whatever man wants them to.
nice control tactic.. .
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I_love_Jeff
It is not impossible to program a robot with free will. It will make decisions based on certain parameters that are determined by the programmer. There can even be random data thrown into a robot's thinking to cause it to be spontaneous so that it seems to have a mind of its own. From the Jehovah's WItness viewpoint, individual personalities are generated by fancy "meat computers". The implication is that Jehovah wants devotion and respect from Siri and others like her. It's ridiculous, because neither Siri nor a fancy talking toaster could ever show genuine love for anything or anybody.
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11
Did Jehovah program us to have a free will? If so, how free are we?
by I_love_Jeff insince the jehovah's witnesses believe we have no indwelling immortal spirit, are we like robots programmed with a special code called "free will"??
since robots have no indwelling immortal spirit, they can be programmed to do whatever man wants them to.
nice control tactic.. .
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I_love_Jeff
Since the Jehovah's Witnesses believe we have no indwelling immortal spirit, are we like robots programmed with a special code called "free will"?? Since robots have no indwelling immortal spirit, they can be programmed to do whatever man wants them to. Nice control tactic.
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Did a lack of unity mean that the Corinthians were not Christian?
by I_love_Jeff inso the jehovah's witnesses say:.
hebrews 10:25 uses the phrase not forsaking our meeting together.
those words show that god wants people to gather as an organized group for worship.-http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201407/religion/.
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I_love_Jeff
So the Jehovah's Witnesses say:
Hebrews 10:25 uses the phrase “not forsaking our meeting together.” Those words show that God wants people to gather as an organized group for worship.-http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201407/religion/
"Those words [in Hebrew 10:25] show that God wants people to gather as an organized group for worship"???????????????????? Really???
When Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians, they were already lacking in unity (1 Cor. 6:13; 8:10; 10:25; 11:2-16; 14; 15). However, Paul clearly believed they were Christians.
1 Corinthians 1:2 "To those sanctified in Christ Jesus and those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - their Lord and ours."
Romans 14:2-5 "One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One man regards one day above another; another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind."
Did Paul ask the Christians to do away with all diversity??? Does diversity, in the eyes of a Jehovah's Witness, mean an unorganized group? If so, then the Corinthians were not true Christians according to Jehovahs Witnesses.
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Watchtower states, "We must teach them good things"????
by I_love_Jeff inso we must teach our jw children about destruction???
what is their definition of the word "good"???.
have you all seen the latest jw flashcards???
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I_love_Jeff
Well said steve2
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Watchtower states, "We must teach them good things"????
by I_love_Jeff inso we must teach our jw children about destruction???
what is their definition of the word "good"???.
have you all seen the latest jw flashcards???
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I_love_Jeff
Key words for children to hear: BAD, LISTEN, BAD ASSOCIATION
This Bible Character Card caught my attention:
PROFILE-Though his father, Amon, was
bad, Josiah did “what was right in Jehovah’s
eyes.” (2 Chronicles 34:2) He chose
to listen to those who loved God rather
than to those who were bad association.
His humility and appreciation for true worship
brought him God’s favor.—2 Kings 22:
19; 23:24, 25. -
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Watchtower states, "We must teach them good things"????
by I_love_Jeff inso we must teach our jw children about destruction???
what is their definition of the word "good"???.
have you all seen the latest jw flashcards???
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I_love_Jeff
So we must teach our JW children about destruction??? What is their definition of the word "good"???
Have you all seen the latest JW flashcards??? Talk about power of suggestion and GUILT!
http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/family/children/bible-characters/nehemiah/
“NEXT to our relationship with God, our children are among our most precious possessions. We should talk with them, listen to them, hug them, and be sure they know that they are very important to us. We must teach them good things—to be honest and helpful, how to have a good life, and how to be kind to others."
Awake 4/22/1998
pg. 8