@ introvert2 - Yes, numerous denominations believe the end is coming "soon", but the Org combines scriptures which have no connection, in order to appear as if they have the true interpretation of something which many people desire to know.
The Searcher
JoinedPosts by The Searcher
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What The Org Teaches: #2 THE GREAT TRIBULATION
by The Searcher inevery single bible student/jehovah's witness who has ever lived, has been indoctrinated to believe that a catastrophic great tribulation would very soon engulf the entire earth, causing untold death & destruction.
this spurious teaching is drummed into every j.w.
's head and used by them as a major recruitment tool.
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The Searcher
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What The Org Teaches: #2 THE GREAT TRIBULATION
by The Searcher inevery single bible student/jehovah's witness who has ever lived, has been indoctrinated to believe that a catastrophic great tribulation would very soon engulf the entire earth, causing untold death & destruction.
this spurious teaching is drummed into every j.w.
's head and used by them as a major recruitment tool.
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The Searcher
@ goneawol - thanks, nice to be back. Had to deal with one of life's problems (non-religious one!!) and after 6 months it concluded successfully at the weekend. (no, I wasn't doing 6 months in San Quentin!)
I sincerely hope that lurkers and people studying with JW's will examine the info on this site and seriously question what they've been told is "Bible truth."
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What The Org Teaches: #2 THE GREAT TRIBULATION
by The Searcher inevery single bible student/jehovah's witness who has ever lived, has been indoctrinated to believe that a catastrophic great tribulation would very soon engulf the entire earth, causing untold death & destruction.
this spurious teaching is drummed into every j.w.
's head and used by them as a major recruitment tool.
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The Searcher
Every single Bible Student/Jehovah's Witness who has ever lived, has been indoctrinated to believe that a catastrophic great tribulation would very soon engulf the entire earth, causing untold death & destruction.
This spurious teaching is drummed into every J.W.'s head and used by them as a major recruitment tool.
#2 THE GREAT TRIBULATION
What the Org says:
w95 2/15 p. 14 par. 6 - "While Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 C.E. did indeed bring "great tribulation" on that religious city, the major fulfillment of Jesus’ words is yet to be realized."
it-2 p. 1127 Tribulation - "However, since the prophecy at Matthew 24:4-22 clearly has a dual fulfillment.......might the "tribulation" referred to at Matthew 24:29 and Mark 13:24 be the "tribulation" during the second and final fulfillment of what was foretold at Matthew 24:21? Viewed in the light of the Bible as a whole, this seems most likely. Do the terms used in the Greek text allow for such a view? Definitely."
The Org insists that the great tribulation which Jesus mentioned at Matthew 24:21- "for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again" - is the same one spoken of at Revelation 7:14 - "These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood".
But What Does the Bible Really Teach?
The NWT/RNWT deceptively cross-references Revelation 7:14 with Matthew 24:21 and Mark 13:19 in order to "prove" their false teaching that a cataclysmic tribulation is soon going to hit the earth. The deception is based on the fact that the phrase "great tribulation" appears in each of those verses. However, the "great tribulation" which is recorded at Acts 7:11 is not cross-referenced with the other verses. Why not? Because it is patently clear that it is speaking of a very different great tribulation.
Likewise, the great tribulation spoken of at Revelation 7:14 cannot possibly be the same one Jesus spoke of at Matthew 24:21 - for two blindingly obvious reasons:
a) The great tribulation which is spoken of at Revelation 7:14 is contextually a clear reference to the same great tribulation mentioned five chapters previously at Revelation 2:22 - a tribulation which Christ himself would instigate against those who were corrupting the congregations, and one which the Org apparently avoids discussing. The angel was describing a future tribulation. He was not discussing one which had occurred almost 30 years previously between 66 - 70 CE.
b) Regarding the Matthew 24:21 great tribulation, Jesus said "....no, nor will occur again".
How can something which was never to be repeated, have a "greater fulfillment" in the future?
Repetitition for emphasis: it was never to be repeated!!!!!!
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What The Org Teaches: #1 DEALING WITH SINNERS
by The Searcher into help those who are fading and those who visit this site anonymously - due to org-induced paranoia regarding "evil apostates" - i'd like to offer some examples of doctrinal teachings for them to examine closely.. hopefully it will provide a bit of comfort for some, to see that their doubts are fully justified.. i'll post a few - one each day - to demonstrate that "the truth" of the org is not what j.w.
one or two previous topics will be repeated for the benefit of new friends to the site.. what the org says: .
if a sinner is found to have committed a serious sin, they should be confronted by a witness who has first-hand knowledge of the offender's sin.
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The Searcher
To help those who are fading and those who visit this site anonymously - due to Org-induced paranoia regarding "evil apostates" - I'd like to offer some examples of doctrinal teachings for them to examine closely.
Hopefully it will provide a bit of comfort for some, to see that their doubts are fully justified.
I'll post a few - one each day - to demonstrate that "the truth" of the Org is not what J.W.'s think it is. One or two previous topics will be repeated for the benefit of new friends to the site.
What the Org says:
If a sinner is found to have committed a serious sin, they should be confronted by a witness who has first-hand knowledge of the offender's sin.
If the sinner expresses regret, the witness should tell the sinner to report himself to the elders,* in order for a judicial committee of three elders to be formed to hear all of the evidence. They will then hand down a judgment on the sinner, a private reproof, public reproof, or disfellowshipping.
If the sinner is unrepentant, the witness should leave and then return later with 2 or 3 witnesses - people who can witness the accusation being made, and not necessarily having witnessed the sin.
If the sinner accepts the witnesses' "counsel", he will report himself to the elders, after which a judicial committee of three elders will be formed to hear all of the evidence in order to hand down a judgment on the sinner - private reproof, public reproof, or disfellowshipping.
If the sinner remains unrepentant, they should report everything to the elders who will set up a judicial committee in order to disfellowship the sinner for his behaviour.
*Certain"serious sins" such as fraud or slander are somehow exempt from this procedure and can be dealt with privately without squealing on the sinner to the elders - according to the self-proclaimed and self-appointed "faithful and discreet slave".
Watchtower May 2016, page 6, par.14 says this - "Most (a) differences between Christians can and should be resolved privately by the individuals concerned. However, Jesus noted that some situations (b) might require congregation (c) involvement. (Read Matthew 18:15-17.) (Yes - read it very carefully!) What would be the outcome if an offender refused to listen to his brother, to witnesses, and to the congregation? He should be treated "just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector." Today, we would say that he should be disfellowshipped. The seriousness of this step indicates that the "sin" was not a small disagreement. Rather, it was (1) a sin that could be settled between the individuals concerned but it was also (2) a sin serious enough to merit disfellowshipping (d) if not settled. Such sins might involve a measure of fraud or might include damaging a person’s reputation through slander. The three steps Jesus outlined here are applicable only where these conditions exist. The offense did not include such a sin as adultery, homosexuality, apostasy, idolatry, (e) or some other gross sin definitely requiring the attention of the congregation elders." (f)
(a) Jesus was referring to all sins, not specific differences!
(b) Some? No. Every time a sinner was unrepentant the congregation was involved – and only then!
(c) Jesus & Paul both stated that the congregation (ecclesia) was to be told, not the elders (presbyterion)
(d) So a J.W. publisher can privately deal with some sins worthy of disfellowshipping..........
(e) ….......but not the juicy & salacious ones? (elders' wives would probably be bored gossiping about a "measure of fraud.")
(f) Jesus never mentioned the elders once in his counsel - nor adultery, nor homosexuality, nor apostasy, nor idolatry!
No repentant sinner should be reported to anyone - end of story.
What Does the Bible Really Teach?
At Matthew 18:15-17 & 1 Timothy 5:20:
A sinner is confronted by a witness who is personally aware of the offender's sin.
If the sinner expresses regret of the serious sin to the witness, the matter is ended.
If the sinner is unrepentant, the witness should leave and return later with at least two other witnesses who are also personally aware of the sin.
If the sinner now expresses sincere regret and accepts the correction from the witnesses, the matter is ended and no one else is told or involved.
If the sinner remains unrepentant, then the witnesses must reveal the sinner's behaviour to the whole congregation! This serves as a warning that the practice of such serious sins is not acceptable behaviour for a Christian.
If no one has observed a person committing the sin, then contrition/forgiveness is between them and their God alone - no one else!
The Org disparages the Catholic church's one-to-one confessional, yet claims in law courts to have "clergy/penitent privilege" with a gang of three confessors (elders).
Wouldn't the practice of disfellowshipping & shunning by J.W.'s be totally different if they applied the scriptures truthfully?
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The Elders want to meet with me and the hubby... Lol lol lol
by Sevan inso the elders called wanting to meet with me and my husband.
most likely because i told a concerned jw friend of mine that i really care about that i wasn't coming back and a couple of the issues i had.
i didn't bring up any so-called "apostate" information, just told her about the australian royal commission and that there are a lot of unscriptural teachings and that the gb apply scriptures that are about jehovah and jesus to themselves, which is idolatry.
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The Searcher
Least said, soonest mended!
Your "friend's" testimony counts for nothing! The elders need two witnesses, and they're relying on you to admit what you said to her.
So to save giving grief to yourself, your husband & his family, insist on being told what the purpose of the meeting is about.
When they reveal it's concerning your private conversation with one person, thank them for their concern, but tell them that you would never discuss with anyone, things which may or may not have been said in a confidential conversation! Ask them why they didn't tell Sister Righteous to apply Matthew 5:23,24 & Matthew 18:15.
If they do not have two witnesses, they are dead in the water - and they know it. All the best.
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Finally posting and I'm FRUSTRATED!!!
by stephanie61092 inokay, i'm about to engage in a major word vomit.
just giving you fair warning as your time may be better spent somewhere else.. so, i'm sitting on my lunch break, bawling my eyes out, and writing on this forum to people i don't know yet probably have a great deal in common with but at the same time, used to scare the daylights out of me.
for years, i would come across this forum and 'lurk' awhile if you will, or see things on youtube.
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The Searcher
Hi Stephanie, your rant and your pain are very understandable to many of us here.
Take your time and carefully make plans for your own future.
Best wishes.
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What are the biggest holes in evolution?
by shadow inhow honest are the proponents of evolution?
idk but curious to see what type of response there is on a topic like this or does their study only seek to confirm their preconceptions and ignore uncomfortable facts?
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The Searcher
How many different evolution theories are there, because in my own lifetime I've heard various experts promoting opposing viewpoints to Darwin's theories.
Is there evidence for "cross-species evolution? "
Adaptation is not the same as evolution, is it?
Very many top scientists strongly argue against evolution as being "fact", e.g. "Darwin's Black Box" by Professor Michael Behe. In it, he states that (until he published his book) he had not found any scientific paper which addressed or explained the "evolution" of a simple molecule - not a cell.
Despite the expected detractors, it's the other side of the coin for people to look at and weigh up the differing opinions/scientific data.
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My Story
by Freeandclear injust thought i'd introduce myself and share my story.
up front, i'm not bitter.
okay now that that's out the way..... i first heard "the truth" when i was about 14 years old from a friends mom who was studying.
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The Searcher
Welcome FreeandClear - You've crossed the bridge, now you're on the road. Don't look back! -
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What are the biggest holes in the ransom sacrifice?
by Half banana inhow honest are the proponents of jesus as the ransom sacrifice?.
curious to see what type of response there is on a topic like this or does their study only seek to confirm their preconceptions and ignore uncomfortable facts?.
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The Searcher
WikiPedia - Historical Jesus: "Most contemporary scholars of antiquity agree that Jesus existed, and most biblical scholars and classical historians see the theories of his nonexistence as effectively refuted. There is no indication that writers in antiquity who opposed Christianity questioned the existence of Jesus."
Josephus & Tacitus recorded evidence of Jesus' existence and Rabbi Nelson Glueck, a renowned Jewish archaeologist said this about Bible references: "It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or exact detail historical statements in the Bible. And, by the same token, proper evaluation of Biblical descriptions has often led to amazing discoveries."
Even if these references are ignored, the greatest undeniable historical fact about the man known as Jesus Christ (apart from Christianity itself ) is this: thousands of 1st century Christians (and their families) were willing to be crucified, burned alive, or eaten alive by wild animals, rather than renounce their faith in someone they had most likely personally seen. Personally, I think many people would readily deny a long-held belief in anything they believed, rather than face such terrible fates. They had a choice to avoid the consequences, but for reasons of "faith", they refused to deny Jesus Christ.
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44 years old and having I.V.F help to have a baby thanks too bastard "this Generation" lies!! Wife wants kids in 2016! My story.
by Witness 007 inas a young witness married couple in the 1990's we knew "this generation" of 1914 did not have long to go!
oh how cute a young pioneer couple we were.
we wont have kids till "afew more years pass" and we are in the new system.
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The Searcher
I wish you both the greatest joy & happiness when you become doting and proud parents!