Posts by R. Jerome Harris

14

OMG - How Low Can They Go?

by berrygerry in

i'm sorry if this has been posted previously, but i haven't noticed it.. this was posted on reddit.. has anyone seen this moneysuck video:.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ylee4u_yu.

No true follower of Christ should be surprised or shocked at this. The WTBTS as well as all religious organizations are about extracting wealth and money. They all have different ways of getting it. Yet, in the end, they get it.

The Creator of us all does not need our money. The most valuable thing any of us possess is our lives. (Jesus himself was materially poor and homeless!)

When God said, "Let there be light" was money required for that to happen? No! God's purpose and will is going to happen no matter what!

We honor God by giving our lives to him - as his son did - in doing his will, as his son did. All we need to do is follow Christ who will teach us how. (No not follow any religious organizations).

If giving anything we have material to help people, help people. YOU practice being Christ-like. DO NOT give your valuable things to an organization so that they decide FOR YOU! It is YOUR responsibility as an individual to practice what Christ taught YOU unhindered by religious organization. We as individuals do not follow men as our Leader and Teacher, we follow Christ.

My sincere advise is not to allow religious organizations to place themselves over you and convince you to give THEM your money.

DO NOT fall for the trick that your money is being used to build more Kingdom Halls and printing literature! God's will and purpose and the preaching of the Good News WILL be preached anyway.

There is no Good News of the Kingdom message. I challenge anyone to show me in "The Bible" where it is specifically written! I asked many of my former JW Brethren what that message was and I got different answers. The Good News of the Kingdom message has not been given yet. The time is not know, but over 1000 years yet future.

Additionally, why would imperfect men assume that God would have them declare his "prefect" good news message.

In Revelation 14:6, I see that God will select one qualified angel (who I believe is Michael, the faithful Witness) who will be entrusted to declare that message in the future:

And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.

The voices of men and their organizations are being listened to and obeyed today rather than the one The Most High has commanded us to listen to. (Luke 9:35) They all have a common blood vessel: Extracting money.

I am a former 30 year JW (by disassociation) and I think it is shameful when money at these levels are inserted in supposedly doing God's work.

All of the religious organizations - especially the ones called Christian - resemble the money-changers Christ threw out of the temple.

It shows unfaithfulness in God to think that he needs money to accomplish is will. The Devil is clever and more powerful than many think. He owns ALL of the religious organizations. Even the ones that smile at you and use the name of God and Christ.

Look out that nobody misleads YOU; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. (Matthew 24:4-5)

109

Are we going to see a mass awakening?

by kairos in

jw
friends

the internet is the archive for civilization.. watchtower cannot hide it's history.. are we seeing the beginning of a mass exodus out of her?.

R. Jerome Harris

The 1914 teaching, the foundation upon which the WT organization has built its prophetic utterances has already crumbled. Many of my former Brethren have not realized this yet. Neither have they listened to what Christ said at Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:42 and Acts 1:7.

No human or angelic organization can know what Christ himself does not know. Yet, the WTBTS has long claimed that it DOES know what Christ does not know. (Matthew 24:42)

There will be no mass migration out of the Watch Tower organization or within any organization within the religious system (and impostor) called by men, Christianity. Why?

Because the proverbial figs on the trees are not rip yet. In other words, this is not the season. In fact, what we will see is just the opposite: more persons going into the organization. Yes, the organization will lose members, but they will gain more than they lose.

The ruler of this world has to create a stubborn and hardened heart towards the truth about God and Christ. That JWs believe that they are already "in the truth" it is that mentality that the Devil will enhance upon. We will see JWs cease to be logical, rational and reasonable thinkers and will become illogical, irrational, and unreasonable thinkers so as to support and believe ANYTHING given them from the Governing Body. That body - not Christ - is their Head at present. (1 Cor 11:3)

Their mental faculties will be even more assaulted to make them more loyal and faithful to "an organization" than to the one who is our true Head, Christ Jesus. The mental assault will be so heavy (coming down from the Governing Body), that what Christ has actually stated will be rejected ... and indeed some of what Christ has said has already been rejected. (Matthew 24:42)

But one must keep their senses and think and Christ would. Neither should JWs or anyone be condemned or given lashes because they are all innocent. JWs like persons belonging to any religious organization are like children. In the case of JWs, the mother is "The Organization." And the child believes and does as "mother" has taught them.

As an African American, I would not fault a small child for calling me by the n-word. No! The child is innocent. I fault the parent who taught it.

Any who have been truly freed by the Master should be concerned persons, not vindictive because of what the organization did to you or who it treated you. You should be happy and count it as a blessing from God through Christ that you are free. Not just physically, but mentally as well.

What do you do now? You do not allow yourselves to be taken captives by any religious organization again. You stay away from all of them. You will realize that Christ is "without of them" not "within" any of them. (Hebrews 13:11-14)

True followers of Christ do not have a "city" (organization) to go into. It has not arrived yet. Thus, his true followers NOW find themselves in the same place as our Lord: In a wilderness.

In that wilderness, we will be constantly tempted by the Devil. On of the Devils primary devices is religious organization. But just remember what Christ told the Devil at Matthew 4:4:

Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through God’s mouth.

No, not man's mouth! No, not the mouths or voices of religious organizations. BUT GODS MOUTH. And, since Christ is The ONLY Word of God, it is also what comes out of his mouth. (No, the Bible is NOT the Word of God. Christ is).

Yet, in that wilderness, the devil uses religious organization to tempt and mislead many into believing what comes out of the mouth of religious organization. See how subtle the Devil is?

In that wilderness millions have been tempted and have come to believe that a book - not named or authorized by God - is ALSO the Word of God!

They have two Words of God: Christ and The Bible!

I often times explain to my former Brethren that it is hypocritical for them to articulate to those who believe in the Trinity teaching that there is only one God. If they believe that there is one God, why are they teaching that there are two Words of God? If there is ONE God, then there is only one Word of God.

A visit to the homepage of the official website of the JWs, one can count the number of times Christ is mentioned as opposed to the Bible being mentioned. It is astounding! At the top of the website page their is a link that says "Bible Teachings."

So the Bible teaches? I thought Christ teaches and that he is our only Teacher. (Matthew 23:8)

Christ is not even promoted as Teacher. The Bible is.

See how subtle the Devil is?

45

The three wise men

by Simon in

just a thought.... looking through the greatest man book, something just occurred to me which i can't recall has ever been highlighted (but please correct me).. i always thought it a bit strange that jehovah allowed the three pagan astrologers to find jesus especially as they were obviously guided to him by satan's star (remember they were led to herod first who wanted to kill the messiah).

what purpose did it serve?.

well, a few pages earlier in tgm book, we see mary presenting a dove as a sin offering at the temple - this was the cheapest offering that was acceptable which must have meant that they were pretty poor at the time.. shortly after the three wise men visited the family had to flee to egypt when herod started to kill all the young boys in an attempt to kill jesus.. what would they need to travel and live as exiles for a couple of years?.

R. Jerome Harris

We are not told how many magoi there were. These men were wise or "educated" in reading the stars. They were astrologers. No one else saw a star because they would not know what they were looking at.

That is why we were told that THEY saw the star while THEY were in the east. The Most High God would not have used a star to lead men involved in a plot - though unwittingly - to kill his Son.

Satan would have done that! He would stand to benefit from the one who would eventually abyss him and destroy him. (Still yet future).

Be careful. The story does not say "how many" astrologers there were.

45

What is truth?

by spectromize in

ah!

yes, that remark made by pilate after pilate had asked jesus wether he was a king.

( john 18:37-38 ).. how would you answer the question according to what we know from the bibles definition, and how the faithful and discreet slave have endeavored to give us spiritual food at the proper time?.

R. Jerome Harris

At his temptation Jesus answered that question. He said:

Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through God’s mouth.

The truth is God's Word. Who is God's spokesman and only one called The Word of God?

Jesus [the] Christ.

And of himself he said at John 14:6:

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Of him God says at Luke 9:35:

This is my Son, the one that has been chosen. Listen to him.

Sadly, religious organizations have usurped the role of "the truth" and have made themselves such. They are thieves in that sense.

31

Can they disfellowship my father?

by cookiemaster in

this has nothing to do with my facebook endeavors.

when the elders visited us last week, they also discussed my father.

my mother called them about him.

R. Jerome Harris

Personally why would anyone care if the WTBTS disfellowships them? No religious organization has the power of life and death over us and they certainly have no authority over us.

The Apostle Paul at 1 Cor 11:3 shows that we have one Head (Lord) over us and that is Christ himself.

But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God.

I would be more concerned about what my Head will do to me. I personally know that my Master Christ is kinder, more tolerant and more forgiving than religious organizations who have made themselves our Lords and Judges.
Listen, The Most High God is clear at Luke 9:35. YOU are to listen to His Son! Do not listen to religious organizations by any name. They can do nothing to you!

This is my Son, the one that has been chosen. Listen to him.

And, did Jesus not say at John 14:6:

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

It is the Watchtower organization that is telling you that it speaks for God through and organization. God and Christ have not told anyone that!
Christ is the way, the truth and the life. The WTBTS is not "the truth" and JWs should not be teaching that they are "in the truth" because no organization can be the truth. Only Christ is.
So align yourselves with Christ and be his disciple (student) not students or disciples of "The Bible" or an organization! That would be idolatry.
Here is a quick test for you: Go to the official JW website and count the number of times "The Bible" is mentioned on the front page as opposed to "Jesus." When you get your tally you will have your answer as to who is more important.
Notice the link at the top of the page as to "Bible Teachings." The Bible is a Teacher? Jesus says that he is our only Teacher at Matthew 23:8-9. So one would think that link should read "Christs Teachings."
See how clever and subtle the WT organization is? The Bible - a book - is being promoted, not Christ himself!

And do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. (Matt 10:28)

Do not fear men and their organizations. Fear God!

14

Now believe in the Rapture, just DON'T call it that.

by Lemonp in

july study article confirms what the march study articles implied.

wt july 15, your deliverance is getting near, para 15. annointed will be raptured before armageddon.

i thought it was interesting the difference between the simplified version and the study version.

R. Jerome Harris

There is no such thing as a rapture. At 1 Thess 4:13-18 the Apostle Paul was discussing the resurrection hope, not a rapture hope.

What do you suppose "meeting the Lord in the air means?" It is so simple that many overlook it.

Do dead people breathe air? No!

They exist in the lowest region of the earth, their graves. (Eph 4:8-10)

When Christ resurrects the dead back to life what will they be breathing? Air!

It is in this sense that they will meet the Lord in the air as they will be alive again and will always be with him in that they will not have to die again.

Breathing air stops at death. Upon living again they will be among the living! Among air breathers!

54

The Divine Name in the NT: Some Reflections

by Let go of fear in

i've been fascinated with this topic for some time now, almost to the point of obsession.

after researching the issue for several years, i have come to a conclusion/theory that i would love to receive some feedback on.

this theory of mine is one that will be somewhat unsettling to both those who believe the divine name was used in the original nt scripts as well as those who believe it wasn't.

R. Jerome Harris

There is no divine name. Jesus NEVER addressed his God by a personal name. He primarily addressed him as "Father."

Neither did his disciples address The Most High God by a personal name.

It was his Fathers REPUTATION (Good name) that Jesus focused upon, not a PERSONAL name.

Names such as Jehovah or Yahweh are not in the Bible and Jesus never spoke such names. They were added.

In the three languages of the Bible: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek there is no letter J.

There is no letter J in Latin either.

In fact, if one looks at the original King James Bible of 1611 you will not see the letter J in any name.

At Psalms 83:18 for example you see:

That men may knowe, that thou, whose name alone is IEHOVAH: art the most High ouer all the earth.

And this is not fully correct because their are no vowels in the Hebrew language. Thus it would be IHVH.

With regards Jesus his name is wrong to. He would not have been called Jesus but something like Iesus (Isis). See John 1:17 in the same Bible.

The bottom line is that Jesus (Iesus) NEVER used a personal name. The WTBTS added the name to the Greek Scriptures because THEY felt it should be their. THEY decided for everyone else that the name would be Jehovah. (Again no J in the Hebrew language).

Like ancient Israel, we do not know God's personal name. Why? Because it is a PERFECT name and we are IMPERFECT creatures.

All we know is that he is a good God. He has a good reputation (name).

His name has not been revealed to us yet.

At Revelation 3:12 Jesus even says that he WILL THEN "write upon him the name of my God ..."

When that name is revealed, what a name it will be! It will be a "proven" and tested name. No one will be able to deny that it is God's name. What a glorious name it will be!

Sadly, the WTBTS and others have move presumptuously and gave us a name. It is a false name!

The WTBTS and others have not allowed God to reveal himself to us.

When God said to Adam when he was hiding from him, "Who told you that you were naked?" He would say to the many, "Who told you that my name is Jehovah? I have not revealed my perfect name to you and neither has my son."

4

is the current WT teaching that all prior to jesus death will not go to heaven?

by sowhatnow in

if so would that not make matthew ch 17 vs 3 [transfiguration] a bit confusing to explain?

i mean, where did they come from?

the grave?

R. Jerome Harris

Jesus was quite clear at John 3:13,

"Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man."

One should not care about what the WatchTower or any religious organization says on this matter. It is what God and Christ says. God has commanded at Luke 9:35:

"This is my Son, the one that has been chosen. Listen to him"

Then listen to what Christ says at Luke 9:35.
The transfiguration vision is a powerful teaching point that shows that no one other than Christ is to be listened to. Notice that two great Prophets appeared in vision along with Christ: Elijah and Moses. These were two great Prophets that God used in the past. Now, The Most High God says, "This is my Son ... listen to him." This teaches us that anything Moses, Elijah or any of the Prophets of old said is not greater than the one God uses now to speak to us! His Son! He is greater than Moses and Elijah.
Where Did Elijah and Moses Come From?
Both Prophets Elijah and Moses were long dead. The promised resurrection has not occurred yet and neither had Jesus ascended into heaven at this time.
We have two possible scenarios: (1) It was not Moses and Elijah that Jesus was conversing with. Quite possibly angels. How did Peter know that the persons were Elijah and Moses. They lived in a different time period and he never saw them and would not know what they looked like. Additionally, when Peter said to Jesus,
Lord, it is fine for us to be here. If you wish, I will erect three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for E·li′jah.
Jesus NEVER acknowledged to Peter that these persons were Elijah and Moses. Rather, God intervened and identified Christ as His Son and the one to be listened to. Peter made that assumption.
The other scenario is that of a vision of a future time period where Moses and Elijah would be resurrected. That persons who preceded Christ would be resurrected. And even in that future time period, Christ is greater.
At John 3:16 we are told:

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.

This means that ALL persons born since Adam and who have died (even up to this day) are in their graves awaiting a resurrection. That includes persons who never knew Christ. That includes Moses and Elijah who are now dead. That is the promise we see at John 5:28-29:

Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.

Notice that ALL in their graves will hear his voice and come out. NOT "some" but ALL.
It is for all of mankind Christ died, not just for "some."
ALL of mankind qualifies for a resurrection from the dead. (Born again from the dead). That DOES NOT mean that ALL will attain everlasting life. Upon their being resurrected they will first have to be taught God's righteousness; that is, good and bad as God defines it. At present, we "do not know" good and bad. That is why Jesus ask of his persecutors and executioners at Luke 23:43,

Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

All of mankind is in a state of "not knowing what we are doing." That is why Jesus never condemned anyone because he knows that we have not been taught "good and bad." We do not know!
Yet, at the resurrection and having gone through his 1000 year kingdom, we will know. And, then there will be no more forgiveness of sins because Christ will no longer be out intercessor. We will know "good and bad" for ourselves. So if we sin in those future days, we cannot say "we did not know" because we will "know what we do." Sin in those future days cannot be forgiven and the punishment for it is The Lake of Fire (The Second Death). Rev 20:14.
When Christ 1000 year kingdom ends, mankind will know good and bad. (Rev 20:6)
Everyone living today and who will die and persons who died in the past since Adam (to include Adam) WILL be resurrected back to life again. They will "meet the Lord in the air." In other words, in their graves they do not breathe. But when they are resurrected back from the dead, they will breathe air again.
So no one goes to heaven PERIOD. Think about this to: If God's Kingdom comes DOWN to the earth, why does anyone need to go UP to heaven? (Matthew 6:9,10)
All of mankind who ever lived will receive a resurrection back to life again from the dead. Look at the examples of persons Jesus resurrected, how many of them were NOT his followers?
That ALL will be resurrected from the dead is what Christ promised. People should try listening to the Master rather than listening to these religious groups who think they have a special relationship with God and who teach what Christ did not.
Few of the people who Jesus resurrected had a special relationship with him. Some never knew him at all.

90

Some screenshots from new KH meeting!

by pixel in

.

they just put up a link to watch a replay of the "new kh meeting", here some screenshots.. .

.

R. Jerome Harris

The WTBTS has been into building a real estate empire under the guise of needing more meeting places. Jesus gave sermons on a hill side did he not.
Each and every demonination has it's own particular hook in extracting and making money. Building Kingdom and Assembly Halls is the WTBTS hook.
The WTBTS resembles the young man who approached Jesus and asked him, "Teacher, what good must I do in order to get everlasting life?"
Jesus responded to him,

“... go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” When the young man heard this saying, he went away grieved, for he was holding many possessions. But Jesus said to his disciples: “Truly I say to YOU that it will be a difficult thing for a rich man to get into the kingdom of the heavens. Again I say to YOU, It is easier for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God."

The WTBTS is a relatively "young" religion. It holds a real estate empire. Yet, would it liquidate and sell all of it and give it to the poor?"
What Jesus said here is sobering! It shows the true nature and heart condition of a religious organizations. I tell you, they sell little and give little.
I know as a former 30 year ex-JW (disassociated) that the WTBTS is stingy and keeps tight strings on their purse.
I am an American and have traveled the world in places people would not even imagine and I have seen how the WTBTS cares for the poor in poor lands (Africa and Asia). I have seen Kingdom Halls (if you want to call them that) that were nothing but shacks with no windows, no bathrooms, no AC, no carpet, no carpet.
I now live in West Africa and I would not pay $5 for some of the Kingdom Halls I have seen over here. It is shameful especially against the backdrop of the lavish Kingdom Halls seen in the United States, Canada, and many places in Europe which are worth many thousands (even millions) of dollars.
The bottom line "It is easier for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God."
The WTBTS and its members (JWs who as far as I am concerned are innocent children and only doing as the parent "the organization" directs them) will have a difficult time getting into the Kingdom of God when it comes down. This is true of all religious organizations.
They are ALL like that young man who had many possessions but who are unwilling to sell ALL of it and give to the poor.
Wake up people!

33

All things considered, when will THE JW religion end?

by sowhatnow in

id give a guess of maybe another 15 to 20 years ,.

nothing will be the same , if there even is a headquarters.. opinion?.

R. Jerome Harris

It is much bigger than JWs ending. Indeed ALL of religion will one day end if they are false.

I say leave JWs alone. I say leave any person of any religious system or organization alone. Who are we to meddle as if what we personally believe is right and everyone else is wrong? Who are we to meddle because we personally do not like someone else's religion or beliefs? They might not like ours either.