Posts by The Searcher

13

New Dead Sea Scrolls revealed -never before seen Nehemiah - 586 BCE Destruction of Jerusalem

by RetiredLE in

25 new dead sea scrolls revealed including never before seen nehemiah - 586 b.c.e.

destruction of jerusalem... oops.... http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/10/11/25-new-dead-sea-scrolls-revealed.html.

nehemiah.

The Searcher

Sadly, it's FOX news who is ascribing the date of 586 B.C., and not the scrolls themselves.

Interesting article, though.

29

Beth Sarim

by HereIgo in

how many of you know about this san diego mansion?

i just found out about it recently.

apparently it was built for old testament faithful men to live in upon resurrection in 1925 such as abraham, moses etc.

The Searcher

p.s. Edmond C. Gruss (1970). Apostles of Denial (PDF). Presbyterian & Reformed. p. 226. [Beth-Sarim was built] to give sagging hopes for the princes' return a boost.

29

Beth Sarim

by HereIgo in

how many of you know about this san diego mansion?

i just found out about it recently.

apparently it was built for old testament faithful men to live in upon resurrection in 1925 such as abraham, moses etc.

So if Rutherford had been correct about the resurrection taking place in 1925, where were Abraham and the others to live for the next 4 years? According to Wiki, Beth Sarim wasn't built until 1929.

WIKIPEDIA - Beth Sarim (Hebrew בית שרים "House of the Princes") is a ten-bedroom mansion in San Diego, California, constructed in 1929 in anticipation of various resurrected Old Testament biblical patriarchs or prophets such as Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah and Samuel.

16

The Org is Growing???? Really???????

by The Searcher in

watchtower january 2017 - par.

15 - "we live in exciting times.

the earthly part of jehovah’s organization is growing in many ways, but growth necessitates change.".

The Searcher

Watchtower January 2017 - Par. 15 - "We live in exciting times. The earthly part of Jehovah’s organization is growing in many ways, but growth necessitates change."

Apart from the org's bank balance, where is the growth? Every aspect of the WTBTS has contracted - Branch offices, full time J.W.'s, Kingdom Halls, meetings, assemblies, magazine production, literature production, talking to people about the Bible. (trolley-zombies rarely talk!)

The org's sense of reason has also contracted!

Repeat a myth often enough and some people might believe it.

13

The Writing Committee Needs Higher Education!!!

by The Searcher in

watchtower january 2017 - how was fire transported in ancient times?.

"the biblical account found at genesis 22:6 states that, in order to prepare to offer a sacrifice at a distant location, abraham "took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on his son isaac.

then he took in his hands the fire and the knife, and the two of them walked on together.

The Searcher

Watchtower January 2017 - How was fire transported in ancient times?

"THE Biblical account found at Genesis 22:6 states that, in order to prepare to offer a sacrifice at a distant location, Abraham "took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on his son Isaac. Then he took in his hands the fire and the knife, and the two of them walked on together." No mention is made in the Scriptures of the method used to light fires in ancient times. Regarding the account in question, at least one commentator believes that a flame could "scarcely have been kept going throughout the long journey" that Abraham and Isaac made. Thus, it may be that what is referred to is the equipment needed for producing fire. Others point out, however, that it was not a simple thing to kindle a fire in ancient times. People would have found it easier, where possible, to get a hot ember from their neighbors rather than try to start a fire on their own. A number of scholars thus believe that what Abraham carried was a vessel - perhaps a pot suspended from a chain - that contained live coals or charcoal embers raked from the preceding night’s fire. (Isa. 30:14) Glowing embers transported in such a way could readily be used with tinder wood to rekindle a fire at any point along a journey."

6

FOLLOWING/WALKING BEHIND

by somebody in

jw
friends

according to this publication published by none other than those who want to gain followers of themselves, christ assigned the preaching work to themselves and not jehovah's witnesses.. *** w07 4/1 pp.

24-25 loyal to christ and his faithful slave ***.

giving loyal support.

The Searcher

Sticking with the habit of a lifetime, the org perverts scriptures and speaks out of both sides of its mouth when "explaining" verses..

Case in point: When discussing 2 Corinthians 5:20 - "Therefore, we are ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us. As substitutes for Christ, we beg: "Become reconciled to God," they claim that the ambassadors are only the elite "anointed" J.W.'s.

Logically, can the work assigned to such "ambassadors" only be carried out by them?

Nope. The org invents a subservient title for non-anointed and introduces the title of "envoys" into the J.W. psyche, in order to convince the rank & file that they must share in the unique ambassadorial work!

Note to lurkers: The org loves to take the high ground when pointing out some of Christendom's unscriptural vocabulary, such as "immortal soul," "hell-fire," "immortality of the soul", and "trinity."

Guess what? Not only are "governing body," "new scrolls", and "judicial committee" not found in the Bible, but neither is the word "envoy" used in the Bible to describe a Christian.

If they claim that only they are the ambassadors, let them do it all. It's their job, not yours!

21

Hypothetical: If WTS Reformed...?

by Cold Steel in

as i said in the subject line, this is purely hypothetical.

what do you think would happen if the wtbts leaders decided to reboot some of the organization's more controversial practices.

not that they would deny their claims to be jehovah's earthly representatives, nor the key elements of their eschatology; but in administrative outlooks.

The Searcher

I firmly believe that the org's major doctrinal reversals in recent years - especially those in the Watchtower July 15 2013 - not only provides cast iron proof to faders (if needed!) that these charlatans never represented any god but themselves, but also drives a wedge of doubt into many J.W.'s minds, as testified by the growing numbers on sites like this.

Keep it up WTBTS!

15

WOW - 18 Elders in ONE congregation!!!

by The Searcher in

hazel grove congregation in stockport, cheshire, u.k.. not only is the congregation saturated with elders, it is/was pretty well saturated with cash - according to its 2014 financial statement to the charities commission.

http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/accounts/ends82/0001066282_ac_20140331_e_c.pdf.

its elders are listed as frank broadhurst, nick ashton, nigel bailey, noel crossley, peter davies.

The Searcher

Hazel Grove congregation in Stockport, Cheshire, U.K.

Not only is the congregation saturated with Elders, it is/was pretty well saturated with cash - according to its 2014 financial statement to the Charities Commission. http://apps.charitycommission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends82/0001066282_AC_20140331_E_C.pdf

Its Elders are listed as Frank Broadhurst, Nick Ashton, Nigel Bailey, Noel Crossley, Peter Davies. Nick Gould, Jack Hallard, Jack Lewty, RoyLoxton, Rob MacCrea, Mark Meredith, Jeremy Richmond, Alan Rowbotham, Carl Rowbotham, Paul Sidebotham, Dave Simpkin, Pom Srisuthikul, & Dave Torkington.

Its financial statement also included this info:

" A legacy of £42,075.58, a gift aid tax refund of £1,244.75, a congregation donation to WTBTS for new bibles and witnessing stands of £750, kitchen refurbishment of £1500 and finally, we have £264,000 in trust with the WTBTS."

I wonder how much of this cash has now been "donated" to the org - thanks to an Elders' recommendation to the flock?

Anyone know of a congregation with more Elders than this?

24

BEARE OF INDEPENDANCE - Leaked Talk On My YouTube Channel

by pale.emperor in

brother melvin mallett delivers a talk entitled beware the spirit of independence.

(because, you know, thinking for yourself is not what jesus wants.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7znpzkakaki.

oh, and remember folks... this isnt a cult or anything!.

The Searcher

Some of the org's past "independent thinking" statements:

w58 8/1 p. 460 Dawns a New Era for the Irish - "To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the church, according to the clergy. As a result, the Irish people do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the clergy and fear; but freedom is in sight." (LOL)

w66 6/1 p. 324 Intellectual Freedom or Captivity to the Christ? - "Today, too, there are those who, by their independent thinking, question Christ’s ability to have and use on the earth a specially appointed governing body of imperfect humans, to whom he has entrusted all the Kingdom interests or "belongings" on earth."

w72 3/15 p. 170 par. 7 The Delight of Jehovah Will Succeed - "Man possesses a mind and a heart, not controlled automatically by instinct, but capable of independent thinking and reasoning, making plans and decisions, exercising a free will, building up strong desires and motivation. That is why you are capable of exercising the fine qualities of love and loyalty, of devotion and integrity. That is why you are also capable of understanding what God has revealed in his Word respecting his will and purpose, and how you can find achievement and contentment in bringing your own life into complete harmony therewith." (due to your thinking abilities - your independent thinking!)

w83 1/15 p. 22 par. 21 Exposing the Devil’s Subtle Designs - "How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization."

(yup, become a J.W. and your "very little" independent thinking will quickly become "zero" independent thinking!

39

Can Someone Explain To Me, Are The Org In Debt Or Rich?

by pale.emperor in

hi guys.. im aware of the orgs blatant hints to donate, donate, donate to the org, the sacking of bethel staff, selling of buildings, reducing mags and books, emphasis on digital rather than physical books etc which is obviously a money saver - but are the wt org in money difficulty?

because elsewhere on here and on youtube there's stories of the watchtower being mega rich, one even called it "a billion dollar organization".

and if there is any money in there, who's benefiting off it?

The Searcher

Hi SBF - someone put up some info a while ago which showed the U.S. Branch income was about $900m back in the early 2000s. It seemed to be a nice little earner. Since then, the org seems to have pushed the self-destruct button with all of its cost-cutting measures, redundancies, changes to meetings, huge money-grab, and numerous "new lights." It should have money pouring out of every orifice, and yet they continually beg for more!

I reckon many J.W.'s are feeling alienated from the religion they once knew as "the truth", and are bewildered at the direction this corporation is taking. And I personally know of two zealous J.W. households who have ceased contributing.