Posts by Bobcat

28

"Are natural disasters a sign of the times?" -- Yes, says WT

by FatFreek 2005 in

yes, bible prophecies suggest that there would be disasters during “the conclusion of the system of things,” or “the last days.” (matthew 24:3; 2 timothy 3:1) for example, concerning our time, jesus said: “there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another.” (matthew 24:7).

that from their website this morning.. i see how they've morphed (by interpretation) food shortages and earthquakes into virtually all bad happenings today.. i'll bet if the "blue bonnet" (one elder's fractured pronunciation of bubonic during a public talk, using it not once but three times) plague, one of which happened nearly 700 years ago -- was going on today, it would be a sign of the times.

after all, it "caused the death of 60% of the population of europe".. no natural devastation like that seen since..

Bobcat

Hi FF2005,

There are definite scriptural problems with the quote from the WT:

"Conclusion of the system of things" does not equate with "the last days." See this post (off site) that surveys each occurrence of the phrase. The phrase equates better with the start of judgment day or "the day of the Lord."

On the phrase, "last days," this post (also off site) has links showing that NT writers viewed Jesus' 1st advent as the beginning of the last days. 2Ti 3:1-5 is a good example. When you look at the ensuing context (2Ti 3:6-9) it is clear that Paul included his time within "the last days."

Heb 1:2 shows that Jesus' 1st advent was viewed as the beginning of the "last days." - In all translations except the NWT. They don't want the last days to begin then. It would mess with their 1914 & 1919 doctrines.

Also compare Paul's reasoning in Acts 17:30-31. In Paul's view, Jesus' resurrection changes how God is dealing with mankind. Prior to that He lets mankind go about as they wish. But since then He is trying to coax "all mankind, everywhere" to repent.This view argues that Paul saw the time since Jesus' 1st advent as a final age before judgment day. And this view compares well with Heb 9:26-28.

Prior to 1914 God was calling on 'all mankind' to repent. And it continued to be that way after 1914. 1914 changed nothing - nothing, that is, from God's standpoint. The WT's position on "the last days" is arguably anti-christian, anti NT.

8

A Question For Active, Current Jehovah's Witnesses Who Still Believe In The Bible And Are Still Searching For Answers...(Matt. 7:7, 8)

by Observer1217 in

a question for active, current jehovah's witnesses (visiting this discussion board) who still believe in the bible and are still searching for answers...(matt.

we remember the watchtower society has long taught there are no inspired persons on earth today, nor living in our modern times.

which explains their viewpoint concerning the governing body leadership today, saying they need not be inspired to correctly lead the congregation of god's people today.

Bobcat

I would think that receiving the spirit (Ac 2:38-39; Jn 16:12-13), which is a key part of the New Covenant (Jn 3:3, 5), helps make up the difference. Of course, WT doctrine (by limiting that to 144,000), cuts that possibility off for those who accept that the WT's doctrine.

59

Common Figure of Speech/Colloquialism?

by rstrats in

1. the messiah said that three nights would be involved with his time in the "heart of the earth".. 2. there are some who believe that the crucifixion took place on the 6th day of the week with the resurrection taking place on the 1st day of the week.. 3. of those, there are some who believe that the "heart of the earth" is referring to the tomb.. 4. however, those two beliefs allow for only 2 nights to be involved.. 5. to account for the discrepancy, some of the above say that the messiah was using common figure of speech/colloquial language of the time, i.e., that it is was common to forecast or say that a day or a night would be involved with an event when no part of the day or no part of the night could occur.. 6. in order for someone to legitimately say that it was common, they would have to know of more that 1 example to make that assertion.. 6. for the purpose of this topic, i would like to ask if there are any 6th day of the week crucifixion advocates who think the messiah was employing common figure of speech/colloquial language of the period?.

Bobcat

For the sake of completeness, Gen 42:17-18 was another example of how "three days" and "the third day" were seen as the same thing. It involves Joseph's brothers being imprisoned for "three days" and on "the third day" Joseph lets them free (save for one). Of course, this example lacks any references to "nights."

I found this example cited in Barne's Notes at the BibleHub web site.

59

Common Figure of Speech/Colloquialism?

by rstrats in

1. the messiah said that three nights would be involved with his time in the "heart of the earth".. 2. there are some who believe that the crucifixion took place on the 6th day of the week with the resurrection taking place on the 1st day of the week.. 3. of those, there are some who believe that the "heart of the earth" is referring to the tomb.. 4. however, those two beliefs allow for only 2 nights to be involved.. 5. to account for the discrepancy, some of the above say that the messiah was using common figure of speech/colloquial language of the time, i.e., that it is was common to forecast or say that a day or a night would be involved with an event when no part of the day or no part of the night could occur.. 6. in order for someone to legitimately say that it was common, they would have to know of more that 1 example to make that assertion.. 6. for the purpose of this topic, i would like to ask if there are any 6th day of the week crucifixion advocates who think the messiah was employing common figure of speech/colloquial language of the period?.

Bobcat

The page here lists an example from Esther 4:16 & 5:1. In this example Mordecai (in 4:16) is to persuade the Jews to fast for "three days, night and day" before Esther goes in to see the Persian king. Then. in 5:1, Esther gets dressed in her royal robes and goes into the king on "the third day."

Here is another page discussing this problem. It also uses the example of Esther/Mordecai.

And here is another commentary on Matthew (D. A. Carson) that discusses this same topic. This reference cites these passages as examples: 1Sa 30:12-13; 2Ch 10:5, 12; Est 4:16; 5:1

Here is the Google search I used which has numerous other hits on this topic.

(I am cataloging these references for a post on another site.)

19

New Book: Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!

by Afterburn in

it is a new book, now available on their website in pdf, and it is basically an update to survival—into a new earth!

(1984), the book that convinced me to get baptized at age 12.. i'm not going to review the entire book here.. because matthew 28:18-20 specifies baptizing as part of the great commission, and because hebrews 6:1-2 lists the teaching on baptisms as among the primary doctrine about the christ, i intend to focus on the portion of the new publication that deals with baptism.. in chapter 16, on pages 178 and 179, paragraph 17 states:.

17 to survive the coming destruction, individuals need to prove their faith now.

Bobcat

Very good analysis, Afterburn!

15

What's the point?

by Incognigo Montoya in

jw
friends

it has always baffled me, if earth and it's inhabitants, are god's sole sentient creation (aside from the angel's and demons) along with the animal life, why create such a vast galaxy, along with billions of other galaxies, with their trillions of stars and planets, etc.

what's the point?

our galaxy surely would've been enough, in a great void of blackness.

Bobcat

Have you ever considered the possibility that we are the first to begin inhabiting the material universe? Assuming that it is God's intention to fill the universe with human inhabitants, and that the universe would be inhabited from a starting point and expanded from there, (admittedly, all assumptions), then, someone would have to be the first planet of inhabitants.

And, logically, (again, assuming the Creator keeps to Himself His long range plans), it could be expected that some on that first planet might wonder what all the rest of the universe was for. It might also be logical, considering that humans are capable of rebelling, to have the rebellion happen while there was still just one planet of us. Settle those problems there, then proceed to expand to other planets.

So, in a sense, your statement that if other planets were inhabited, that this would raise problems with the concept of Christianity would essentially be correct. And in line with that, the problems are being solved at the correct time - when there is still only one planet of humans.

There might be a hint in the Bible that this is God's purpose. In Gen 15:5 and 22:17 God promises Abraham that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars and the sand. Gal 4:29 says that it is those having faith in Christ who become Abraham's offspring

So, one might think God was exaggerating a bit with Abraham. But if you take God at His word, His promise to Abraham would, eventually, require expansion beyond planet earth.

Sorry if this idea has already been mentioned.

79

Preparing the sheeple for finally abandoning the significance of 1914

by under the radar in

we all know the society would love to get rid of all the problems caused by clinging to 1914 and all they claimed it meant for the last 100+ years.. it looks like they are laying the groundwork for easing away from the whole concept of 1914. this would also let them do away with the ridiculous "overlapping generation" bullcrap.

what a diaper load that has been.... anyway, the following is from their super secret marching orders for april, 2019. draw your own conclusions.... "3.

“100 years of faithfulness”: the coordinator of the body of elders, or another elder, should be invited to read the following special announcement.

Bobcat

I remember a letter from the WT to COs pointing out that belief in 1914 was a necessity for Christians. Does anyone have a link to that letter? (Thanks in advance.)

21

"Be Strong!"---SAD

by eyeuse2badub in

attended the sad yesterday with my wife.

bethel speaker flown in to california which made it "special".

(his talks were infomercial bs, but at least he was a good speaker.

Bobcat

The morning symposium had a part on Enoch. At ours the speaker went on for a couple of minutes on Genesis 4:26 and what "calling on the name of Jehovah" supposedly involved. It inspired me to put together this thread.

The one I was at was at a middle school auditorium. So the cost was considerably less. In the $2500 range.

13

Meaning of Luke 9:49,50

by truthlover123 in

these two verses indicate that "others" were preaching in jesus' name and when the apostles reported it to him, he said "let him alone for he who is with us is not against us".... since the wtbts states they are the only way to salvation, what does this scripture mean?

others have the right to salvation as well - straight from jesus' mouth- as long as they preach ( in the verse it says expel demons as well) using jesus name?

Bobcat

The larger and immediate context begins at Luke 9:46 where the apostles are arguing about who among them is the greatest. Verse 49 is withing that discussion. Whilst being corrected for trying to see who was the greatest among themselves, John asks about someone outside their immediate group.

Jesus often talked with large crowds, many of whom may have listened and put faith in him, but were unable to leave house and home behind and follow Jesus everywhere. The man doing these things may have been among them.

It seems to me that this is just a continuation of verses 46-48. It is more correction for the attitude of the apostles. To focus on the man from outside the apostle group is probably to miss the main point of the passage. It was the apostles whose attitude needed correcting.

41

Do You Take Any Special Vitamins or Meds That You Would Recommend?

by minimus in

jw
friends

as we get older , we tend to feel the aches and pains or some tiredness like never before.. i have some friends who are in excellent condition and i’ve asked what their secret was.. some swear by cbd oil as a cure all for aches and localized pain.

greek yogurt is a natural food that can attack gut fat as does taking probiotics.

have you found anything that makes you more energized?

Bobcat

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