Posts by Abraham1

31

The Watchtower—Study Edition | December 2021

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

study article 50. listen to the voice of the fine shepherd.

9 consider an experience that illustrates how jehovah can care for our material needs.

a couple in full-time service drove over an hour in their old car to pick up some sisters living at a refugee center and take them to a christian meeting.

Abraham1

RULES & REGULATIONS,

Proverbs 6:6-8 says ants know how to find out its food and how to save even for future. It can also separate sweet from sand even if they are mixed. Jesus knew verses attributed to God suggesting HE ordered genocide, sanctioned divorce for all petty reasons etc but he simply said they are all from human sources, not from God. (Mathew 5:43-48; 19:4-8)

Similarly, when you see absolutely true statement such as ‘God is impartial to all of His children’ (Deuteronomy 10:17; Romans 2:11) you should know that all verses contradicting this truth [i.e. God shows partiality to prayers of some] are all from human source. After saying ‘God made mankind in His image’ in Genesis 5:1, in the very next chapter when you read ‘God repented of making mankind as their tendency is towards evil, hence I am going to wipe out them from earth except one family’ (Genesis 6) you should know that this account is God-dishonoring and dismiss it. Contradictory verses would creep in–this has been foretold (Mathew 13:24-30; Acts 20:28-30) Such contradictory verses are to be treated like verses such as 1 John 5:7; Mark 16:9-20; John 8:2-11 (My Favorite Passage that’s Not in the Bible) Another example, DISFELLOWSHIP ARRANGEMENT is not from God. (Mathew 5:43-48; 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 15) And when you find verses contradicting them, you should list them as anti-Christ, anti-God, and anti-Paul verses. (https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5707938705440768/disfellowship-arrangement-jws-from-god-but-from-uninspired-writers)

10

Disfellowship-arrangement of JWs is not from God, but from uninspired writers.

by Abraham1 in

1) jesus set the absolute standard on how to deal with the disagreeable or even with those becoming inimical in matthew/5/43-48.

there he said: ‘don’t behave like pagans who love/greet only those loving/greeting them.

but be like our heavenly father who loves everyone without differentiating whether one is friendly or inimical towards him.’ this is his eternal standard.

Abraham1

Punkofnice,

Excellent inputs. What a pathetic situation JWs themselves find in!

10

Disfellowship-arrangement of JWs is not from God, but from uninspired writers.

by Abraham1 in

1) jesus set the absolute standard on how to deal with the disagreeable or even with those becoming inimical in matthew/5/43-48.

there he said: ‘don’t behave like pagans who love/greet only those loving/greeting them.

but be like our heavenly father who loves everyone without differentiating whether one is friendly or inimical towards him.’ this is his eternal standard.

Abraham1

FFGhost,

JWs don't realize that speaking against the "abomination that causes desolation" they themselves became the same flouting beneficial precepts of God. (https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/6251536349921280/isnt-jws-teaching-abomination-that-causes-desolation-wrong)

The Greek word translated as “disruptive” in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 is ἄτακτος (ataktos). It is a fitting description of what JWs consider to be worthy of disfellowship because it means:

"1. disorderly, out of ranks (often so of soldiers)

2. irregular, inordinate, immoderate pleasures

3. deviating from the prescribed order or rule

Used in Greek society of those who did not show up for work."

(Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/strongs/G813)

10

Disfellowship-arrangement of JWs is not from God, but from uninspired writers.

by Abraham1 in

1) jesus set the absolute standard on how to deal with the disagreeable or even with those becoming inimical in matthew/5/43-48.

there he said: ‘don’t behave like pagans who love/greet only those loving/greeting them.

but be like our heavenly father who loves everyone without differentiating whether one is friendly or inimical towards him.’ this is his eternal standard.

Abraham1

1) Jesus set the absolute standard on how to deal with the disagreeable or even with those becoming inimical in matthew/5/43-48. There he said: ‘Don’t behave like pagans who love/greet only those loving/greeting them. But be like our Heavenly Father who loves everyone without differentiating whether one is friendly or inimical towards Him.’ This is His eternal standard. (Deuteronomy 10:17; Malachi 3:6; Romans 2:11)

2) Apostle Paul repeated this in his letter to the Thessalonians: “We urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14, 15) (emphasis added)

All those verses contradictory to the above precept, found in the Bible, are later adoptions, as warned by Jesus and Paul. (Mathew 13:24-30; Acts 20:28-30) Such contradictory verses are to be treated like verses such as 1 John 5:7; Mark 16:9-20; John 8:2-11 (My Favorite Passage that’s Not in the Bible)

That means JWs were not careful to read God’s word and thus failed to locate anti-Christ and anti-God and anti-Paul verses in the Bible. For example, verses such as Romans 7:19 is not from Paul because he was “a holy, righteous and blameless” man (1-thessalonians/2/4-10), and on this basis he is instructing Thessalonians to be like him in becoming “blameless.” (1-thessalonians/5/19-23) 1 Thessalonians chapters 4 and 5 are dedicated for instructions, yet you will note continuity is lost after 1 Thessalonians 4:12 and continuity is resumed after 1 Thessalonians 5:11. In between are unrelated subjects contrary to what Jesus had taught. For example,

1 Thessalonians 4:17 is against what Jesus taught in Mathew 19:28-30

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 is against what Jesus taught in Luke 21:25-32

Ignoring this fact, JWs made the mistake of publishing the book “True Peace and Security - How Can You Find It?” in 1986 following the UN proclamation of 1986 as “The International Year of Peace.” They thought end of the world is “imminent.”

31

The Watchtower—Study Edition | December 2021

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

study article 50. listen to the voice of the fine shepherd.

9 consider an experience that illustrates how jehovah can care for our material needs.

a couple in full-time service drove over an hour in their old car to pick up some sisters living at a refugee center and take them to a christian meeting.

Abraham1

Rules and Regulations,

You did not check the Scriptures I cited (Mathew 13:24-30). It implies God acts to benefit ALL His children, not to any individual here and there. (Mathew 19:28; Romans 2:11)

31

The Watchtower—Study Edition | December 2021

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

study article 50. listen to the voice of the fine shepherd.

9 consider an experience that illustrates how jehovah can care for our material needs.

a couple in full-time service drove over an hour in their old car to pick up some sisters living at a refugee center and take them to a christian meeting.

Abraham1

(God never acts according to requirements we make through our prayer.

"And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:44) God did not fulfill what Jesus prayed for.

When Paul prayed, God responded: "is “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 cor 12:9)

This is because God acts in large scale, and we think in small scale, being reduced to localized needs. (Mathew 13:24-30)

63

Is Bible prophecy now starting to come true regarding the prelude to the great tribulation?

by Disillusioned JW in

is bible prophecy now starting to come true regarding a prelude to the great tribulation?.

full disclosure: i still don't believe in the bible's claims about the existence of the supernatural, even of jehovah god (i'm an atheist and a scientific/philosophical naturalist), but i am asking this question because recent events are starting to seem (to me) to fit well the description of some prophecies in the bible.

consider the following.. several hours ago (on 11-26-2021) as i was about to enter a local fred meyer store of my city (in suburb or small city in the metro area of a large city) a person i know told me that a moment earlier a person left the store in a hurry with a cart load up with unpaid merchandise (i think i was told it was groceries but i don't remember that for sure).

Abraham1

Vanderhoven,

You said “No one will be able to anticipate the timing; it will take place in normal times, with people working at their jobs, marrying and being given in marriage; it will be a total surprise, an event one should be ready for at all times...precisely because there will be no signs of his second coming (parousia).”

You have ignored description of “Last Days” in Luke which is truer than that of Mathew because Luke compared all available manuscripts and took only what is true. (Luke 1:1-3) After describing all the global signs such as pandemics, world wars, sea-level rise, Jesus said: “People will faint from terror [thus they are not taken by surprise], apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:26-31)

Noticeable thing is that Luke removed Jesus’ supposed comparing the situation with that of Noah’s time. This is because Jesus never mentioned about Noah’s destruction as it has never happened (compare Mathew 13:24-30) After saying “mankind was made in the image of God” (Genesis 5:1) we find in the very next chapter God repenting about His creating mankind on earth because they have become wicked from their very core, hence HE supposedly wiped that generation (Genesis chapter 6). This is unlikely to happen, and Noah’s Flood is a cooked up story, adopted from other cultures and was put in wrong place. This explains why OT prophets are not aware of such global flood that destroyed mankind except one family.

63

Is Bible prophecy now starting to come true regarding the prelude to the great tribulation?

by Disillusioned JW in

is bible prophecy now starting to come true regarding a prelude to the great tribulation?.

full disclosure: i still don't believe in the bible's claims about the existence of the supernatural, even of jehovah god (i'm an atheist and a scientific/philosophical naturalist), but i am asking this question because recent events are starting to seem (to me) to fit well the description of some prophecies in the bible.

consider the following.. several hours ago (on 11-26-2021) as i was about to enter a local fred meyer store of my city (in suburb or small city in the metro area of a large city) a person i know told me that a moment earlier a person left the store in a hurry with a cart load up with unpaid merchandise (i think i was told it was groceries but i don't remember that for sure).

Abraham1

Disillusioned JW,

"When apostle Paul wrote: "It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife," (1 Corinthians 5:1) he was not approving what Gentiles do.Similarly, I was only contracting saying "If secular people (whether believers in astrology or not) could alert the world about "Great Tribulation" even four years it actually began, how much more JWs could have done if they were really linked to God.

19

There is no heavenly calling, it is a wishful thinking of JWs

by Abraham1 in

then jesus said to his disciples: “truly i say to you that it will be difficult for a rich man to enter 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 enter the kingdom of god.” (mathew 19:23, 24, https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/matthew/19/) for jesus both “kingdom of heaven and kingdom of god” are interchangeable—they are one and the same.

when earth comes again under god’s rulership, earth becomes a “kingdom of heaven.” (mathew 5:3, 5) “those poor in spirit” are defined as those having no self-importance or egoless (mathew 16:24) and “the meek” too are egoless.

Abraham1

mickbobcat,

That is a valid point--especially so when Jesus revealed vital spiritual lessons to woman (John 4:7-26) and even appointed woman to convey the important message to his male disciples.(John 20:16-18) He also declared that all women-inferior verses are the result of “hardheartedness” of some ancient men, which obviously has nothing to do with Scriptures. (Mathew 19:4-8) He even rated woman as having keener insight into future and spirituality than men (Mathew 26:10-13 Contrast John 6:60).

19

There is no heavenly calling, it is a wishful thinking of JWs

by Abraham1 in

then jesus said to his disciples: “truly i say to you that it will be difficult for a rich man to enter 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 enter the kingdom of god.” (mathew 19:23, 24, https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/matthew/19/) for jesus both “kingdom of heaven and kingdom of god” are interchangeable—they are one and the same.

when earth comes again under god’s rulership, earth becomes a “kingdom of heaven.” (mathew 5:3, 5) “those poor in spirit” are defined as those having no self-importance or egoless (mathew 16:24) and “the meek” too are egoless.

Abraham1

Instead of presenting New Teachings such as heavenly hope for 144000, Issue of Sovereignty, other issues such as blood transfusion, national anthem, military service, image of the beast etc, they had something important to do--separatng weeds from the Bible. They did it with John 8:2-11 which they moved into footnote. If they had done this with other weed-like verses (such as given in https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5671141438914560/single-bible-verse-that-explains-everything-hope-even-disfellowshipped), they should have received praise from God and from tree seekers of truth. They sadly missed that precious opportunity of really taking care of interests of Kingdom.