Posts by Konagirl

8

A Rare Response to being Disfellowshipped

by Vanderhoven7 in

to most, being disfellowshiped is a terrible loss of friends family and god's perceived approval.

but not to mark jones.

in his words..... the best way i can describe it, is like when you leave highschool for the last time.

Konagirl

I love what you wrote, @RULES & REGULATIONS. Not only do the words of Christ contain eternal life, but they contain love. Watchtower doctrine is cold, calculating, and based on the organization's needs, which makes it easy for them to enforce disfellowshipping. Since they follow their decrees and twist the scripture, they practice lawlessness.

Rom 13:8 - "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law."

Gal. 5:14 - "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matt 24:10-12 - At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, ("lawlessness") the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

85

Physically in mentally agnostic ie sitting on the fence

by ExBethelitenowPIMA in

hi everyone i’m not pimi or pimo i’m pima.. i don’t think the gb have everything right but i’m sitting on the fence that maybe they do some things.. if the great trib starts i will jump that side of the fence.. this is a definite little sneaky advantage dodging but even by their own doctrine last min some could come in.. i suspect many are like me.. i spent years in bethel and am very disappointed and disillusioned by it all.. but at the end of the day i love the bible and think it is the word of god and i don’t see any other religion that comes as close to what jesus describes his true followers or who are fulfilling mat 24:14..

Konagirl

@ ExBethelitenowPIMA - But at the end of the day I love the Bible and think it is the word of God and I don’t see any other religion that comes as close to what Jesus describes his true followers or who are fulfilling Mat 24:14.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that no longer would true worshipers of God be gravitating to a physical place, but that God is seeking those who worship Him "in spirit and truth". At the time he was referring to the physical mountains of Samaria and Jerusalem. John 4:21-24 So...JWs go to the doors, start studies and then drop the "good news" that "Jehovah's organization is essential to their salvation". km 11/1990

Are JWs preaching the same message that Jesus told the woman at the well?

Not even close.

I hope you think about that.

3

Everyone must come to THE ORG for salvation!

by BoogerMan in

w81 11/15 p. 21 par.

18 ‘stay awake and keep your senses’ - "...the witness yet includes the invitation to come to jehovah’s organization for salvation...".

such an ironic & tragic title for the article!.

Konagirl

Pure idolatry.

"Jehovah's organization"

Jehovah and his organization"

Exod 20:23 - "You shall not make gods of silver alongside me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold".

8

Parting Letter

by Konagirl in

a friend of mine was compelled to reach out to as many members as possible in her congregation, by sending them the following letter that i would like to share.. to my brothers and sisters,.

i’m sure you’ve realised by now that something isn’t quite right with me as i haven’t been around in months.

the truth is i have been going through a crisis and the last few months have been the hardest time of my life.

Konagirl

A friend of mine was compelled to reach out to as many members as possible in her congregation, by sending them the following letter that I would like to share.

To my brothers and sisters,

I’m sure you’ve realised by now that something isn’t quite right with me as I haven’t been around in months. The truth is I have been going through a crisis and the last few months have been the hardest time of my life. I couldn’t speak to anyone until I had told my mom which I finally got around to doing a few days ago and now it’s only fair that I tell you and I hope you will take the time to read my letter so I can explain. Before you do though, I entreat you to pray to God to open up your heart and mind and prayerfully examine the scriptures.

For the first time in my life, I started reading the Bible on its own, especially the Christian Greek Scriptures. After a while, I started noticing differences between the scriptures and what we are taught, especially about Jesus. We think we are honouring Jesus, but if we truly examine the Bible, are we really? We urge people of other religions to examine if what they are taught is true or not, so does that not also apply to us? If we were to find out that what we are taught is not according to scripture, would that not require investigation?

· In Matthew 28:19,20 Jesus commanded us to get baptised in the name of ‘The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.’ Have you ever wondered why Jehovah’s Witnesses are baptised into an organisation? Is this following Jesus’ command or are we actually committing an act of idolatry?

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+28%3A19-20&version=CSB

· As witnesses, we are told that our only chance of salvation is to belong to an organisation. Can you actually find one scripture that backs that up? Acts 4:12 says in reference to Jesus “… there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” Do you truly feel we are being taught to obey and trust only in Jesus for our salvation or is it dependent on our belonging to this organisation?

· Revelation 18:4 says with regard to Babylon the Great “get out of her MY people”. This is Jesus’ command AFTER the destruction of Babylon the Great, which we know is in the future. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been separate from all other religions for over 100 years, so why are we told that Babylon the Great represents false religion when Jesus is specifically telling HIS people to flee after her destruction? If the harlot is not false religion, who is she? Isn’t our life dependant on knowing the answer to this question?

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+18%3A4&version=CSB

· 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 prophesies that there would be a great apostasy. This is not referring to the early Christian congregation or to those who have left the organisation, this is an apostasy that will occur during Christ’s presence and in God’s temple. Is it not important for us to discern what this apostasy is so that we do not succumb to it?

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thess+2%3A1-12&version=CSB

· In Matthew 24:15 Jesus warned about the “disgusting thing standing in a holy place”. According to the 15 July 2013 Watchtower the initial fulfillment was when the Roman army attacked Jerusalem and its temple and the future fulfillment is the United Nations destroying Christendom. So here Jerusalem prefigures Christendom. However, in the Pure Worship book that we recently studied, in Teaching Box 16A, it shows that Christendom can never be the antitypical Jerusalem because she has never had God’s favour. So which one is true? Does the holy place refer to Christendom or doesn’t it? If it doesn’t as this new understanding suggests, then what holy place is Jesus referring to in Matthew 24:15, how are we to discern the “disgusting thing” standing there and when must we flee?

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+24%3A15-16&version=CSB

· Why has the New World Translation altered so many scriptures from the original text which totally change the meaning? One example is Revelation 5:10 – please compare the verse to the Kingdom Interlinear as well as other translations. Why are we not taught this? Some other changes are in 2 Corinthians 5:20; Matthew 24:39; John 3:16-18; Romans 10:9,10; Ephesians 4:8; Matthew 3:3. Why was John 7:53-8:11 removed from the latest version of the NWT? https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+5%3A10%3B+2+Cor+5%3A20%3B+Matt+24%3A39%3B+John+3%3A16-18%3B+Rom10%3A9%2C10%3B+Eph+4%3A8%3B+Matt+3%3A3%3B+John+7%3A53%3B+8%3A1-11&version=CSB

· Matthew 24:45-51 speaks about a slave that would feed God’s sheep – but it also says that when Jesus returns the slave would either be declared faithful or evil. The governing body tell us that they were declared faithful when Jesus inspected the organisation in 1919. On what basis? That they were teaching the truth - but if you examine what they taught at that time it is virtually the opposite of what we are taught today. They say the “light gets brighter and brighter,” but surely any new light should only clarify details not previously understood, not the opposite. Can truth ever change? Why did Jesus give the slave incorrect information to confuse his sheep back then? Were “expired truths” ever true? So did Jesus really appoint them in 1919 or is it in the future? If it is in the future, then they cannot claim to be faithful until Jesus renders judgement.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+24%3A45-51&version=CSB

Although we are told that we are not to question anything we are taught, is that what the scriptures say? Should we just follow what people say? In Acts 17:11 the Beroeans were commended because they “carefully examined the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so, and in 1 John 4:1-3 it says “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Up until recently, I truly believed with all my heart that I had the truth but after really examining the Bible, I no longer believe it is the true religion. Just admitting those words to myself was so traumatic, I can’t even begin to explain how I felt. It was honestly the worst day of my life and I cried for days. I have given my life to “the truth” believing I was serving God but I have come to see that God’s spirit is not with the governing body. They have convinced over 8 million people that they are the anointed spokesmen of God, but their actions behind the scenes proves that God is not backing them - including their 100% failure rate in several end-of-world predictions and failed calculations using “this generation” which has to be constantly changed. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 says “If any prophet presumptuously speaks a word in my name… and the word is not fulfilled or does not come true, then Jehovah did not speak that word. The prophet spoke it presumptuously. You should not fear him.” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut+18%3A20-22&version=CSB

Although there are elements of truth taught to us, if there are lies mixed within, can it really be called the Truth? Even if it was mostly true, wouldn’t one falsehood make it false? Just like 1 drop of poison in a glass of water contaminates the entire glass, would you drink it? Would “life giving water” ever be tainted with lies? Jesus knew this would happen and warned us over and over again not to be misled by “false prophets” who would arise – these ones would distort truth but would be difficult to identify because of their smooth sounding words. This deception would be so powerful that even the chosen ones would be misled if they were not awake (Matthew 7:15-20; Matthew 24:4-5,11,24; Luke 21:8; Romans 16:17,18) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+7%3A15-20%3B+24%3A4-5%2C11%2C24%3B+Luke+21%3A8%3B+Rom+16%3A17%2C18&version=CSB

With their terrible track record of predicting the future, I am so afraid of what trap they will lead you into when they say you need to follow them “even if it doesn’t make sense from a human standpoint”. I hope and pray that you will come to understand that because they do not have God’s spirit, they cannot understand and unravel Bible prophecy so none of their predictions for the near future will come true. Jesus is not coming to rescue you as long as you are following the governing body and remain part of this organisation. Please trust in God and his precious Son and not in these men for your salvation.

If only witnesses would recognise that when they have doubts, it is not Satan, but it is in fact our Creator trying to wake them up and open their eyes to the truth. Our minds and hearts have been captured and only with God’s help can the veil be lifted from our eyes so the truth can shine through (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). Please pray for this help, stop reading their publications and start reading the Bible on its own. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor+4%3A3-4&version=CSB

This does not mean I would ever join another religion, if any religion was true, it would have been this one – but now I know that I do not need to be part of a religion to be a follower of Jesus (Matthew 18:20). But the question we ask is, if this isn’t the truth – where do we go? The real question we should ask is found in John 6:68 where Peter asked “whom shall we go away to?” The answer is, we go to Jesus. The “Truth” is not a religion - Jesus Christ IS the Truth. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+18%3A20%3B+John+6%3A68%3B+14%3A6&version=CSB

Of course, it is up to you whether you choose to look into what the Bible really teaches or not, but I could not keep quiet as I care about you, no matter the consequences to myself. What saddens me is that every single witness is being deceived – they are not on the narrow road to life but are on the broad road to destruction (Matthew 7:13-23). In fact, the organisation is slowly and subtly leading each witness further and further away from Jesus and the salvation he promises. God’s original purpose to make the earth a paradise is real, the path to it is not what we were led to believe. I have come to see that the only way to salvation is to imitate, obey and love Jesus and not to trust or show loyalty to any man or organisation. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+7%3A13-23&version=CSB

Thank you for reading my letter and I really hope you will take the time to examine what you are being taught, always using the scriptures as your foundation. I will always treasure your friendship and the wonderful memories we shared. I also forgive you for what I know you have to do to me, thinking it is the way you show loyalty to God (John 16:2,3). I am not afraid though, I have full confidence that Jesus and his Father will take care of me, not only now but for eternity.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A2-3&version=CSB

Love to you,

Xxxxxx

1

EXJWs are going to the U.S. Capitol

by Konagirl in

i apologize if this has already been posted!.

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

Konagirl

I apologize if this has already been posted!

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

12

What do Jehovah`s Witnesses beleive that can be linked to Pagan practices , anyone ?

by smiddy3 in

a previous thread has inspired me to post this ,thanks guys .. { i`ve been out for so long i may have missed something }.

Konagirl

Zeph 1:4-6 - “I will use my power against Judah
and against those who live in Jerusalem.
I will remove the faithful few of Baal from this place
and the names of the pagan priests along with my priests.
I will remove those who worship all the stars in the sky on their rooftops
and…

those who worship by swearing loyalty to the Lord
while also swearing loyalty to the god Milcom.

Wt. 2022/11 p. 20 “When we face adversities, our loyalty to Jehovah and his organization can be tested.”

Wt 2001/10/1 p. 22 – “Loyalty to God also includes loyalty to his organization.”

Milcom – the fire god, Molech, who accepted human (especially young children, babies) sacrifices

Wt 2018/3 p. 12 – “May you parents experience the joy and satisfaction that result from seeing your children become dedicated, baptized servants of Jehovah.”

There's more to this dedication...

Wt 2017/4 p.5-7 - “Have you dedicated your life to Jehovah and symbolized your dedication by water baptism? If so, that is wonderful! Recall that on your baptism day, before eyewitnesses, you were asked whether you had dedicated yourself to Jehovah and understood that “your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization.”

Yes, the joy to be had when one’s child dedicates their life to whom we as parents believed was the Almighty God and Jesus Christ. Little did we realize that by anyone breaking their loyalty to men and their man-made organization, it would be considered a transgression of loyalty against God. (Isa 46:5)

The organization was created on falsehood, and falsehood is deception. There is an organization depicted in the book of Revelation that is described as a Beast. It requires the mark of dedication, and its false prophet that directs it, breathes a “spirit”, gives it life; and anyone who betrays the “mark” they receive, their loyalty and dedication to it, are spiritually “killed” – disfellowshipped. (John 16:2)

Also, this Beast “makes war” with the anointed. Think of Ray Franz and what he went through at the hands of the organization. How many others who dared to listen to him were taken down also?

I hope that this sheds light on the most blatant, yet different form of idolatry/paganism that JWs are committing - their loyalty to an organization, a publishing/real-estate company disguised as an upright religion, simply because it has in its possession since the beginning, genuine anointed ones. It's a trap, well-lined with the possibility of gaining riches and power; (Luke 4:6) and blasphemous ruling authority over the anointed remnant. Dan 7:19; 8:24;11:38; Matt 24:24,25; Acts 20:29-30; Col 2:8; 1 Tim 4:1;Rom 1:25; Rev 13:1-2,4,7-8,10, 11-12,15-17; 19:20; Jer 23:29

50

Are the teachings of JW—consistent?

by Fisherman in

i would belief so but if you can point something out, it can be discussed.. i don’t mean what jw taught in the past that they later realized was not correct and amended.

—unless you think and can show something like that is relevant.. i’ve spoken to a lot of believers from different religions.

i don’t want to bash any religion here under this topic but their beliefs are inconsistent and their reasons are sophistry and made up and grounded on circular reasoning.

Konagirl

The JW teachings are supported by scripture, add up, are consistent, and” jive” like the 4 gospels, logical, reasonable, plausible and just make sense and appeal to the mind and heart.

If you disagree, please show how so.

Will a chart do?

16

Can you answer my questions, please?

by Sandie in

i have three questions.

i would be most grateful if someone could respond for me, please.

thank you.. 1. can jehovah's witnesses practice faith with the bible as a guide, or is it crucial to include the teachings of the watchtower society?

Konagirl

"Remember, one path will distance you from Jehovah, while the other path will lead to the best life ever" w 13/1/15 p. 12-16

To explain my use of this quote, now that I've left the organization I have distanced myself from their version of God - their "Jehovah" that required dedication to the organization. That's the path I took. The JW "Jehovah" I associate fully with their organization and its logo/image as "the best life ever", conjoined with its website logo.

16

Can you answer my questions, please?

by Sandie in

i have three questions.

i would be most grateful if someone could respond for me, please.

thank you.. 1. can jehovah's witnesses practice faith with the bible as a guide, or is it crucial to include the teachings of the watchtower society?

Konagirl

Hi Sandy,

I’ll comment on #3 –

"Do Jehovah's Witnesses have assurance of salvation?

Is there any way to achieve that? "

I’ll let their own forked tongue speak:

"As Christians, we face up to similar challenges today. We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization."

Notice the date of this statement made in the Watchtower magazine: 1990/11/1 p. 26

Now notice this quote from their “Kingdom Ministry” made in the same month of the same year:

"Bible students need to get acquainted with the organization of the “one flock” Jesus spoke about at John 10:16. They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation. (Rev 7:9,10,15) Therefore, we should start directing our Bible students to the organization as soon as a Bible study is established."

So, you ask do they have assurance of salvation? Yes, through their modern version of idolatry.

Is there any way to achieve that? If you mean according to them, yes, through “worshipful gestures” toward the organization and its "image" upon water immersion; and by their actions as a JW in every day life. The organization is said to survive their bloody Armageddon. (Rev 13:16,4)

Their second question that must be answered before baptism is -

“Do you understand that your baptism identifies you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with Jehovah’s organization?”

As they say,

"Remember, one path will distance you from Jehovah, while the other path will lead you to the best life ever" w 13/1/15 p. 12-16

1 John 5:21 - "Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts." NLT

(I had a photo for you of their logo with the words, "best life ever" on it, but it wouldn't take)

25

Did YOU have 'princes' in YOUR congregation?

by BoogerMan in

lol .

w54 5/1 p. 277 par.

17 - some of the “great crowd” are now serving in position of “princes,” .

Konagirl

w64 12/1 p. 723 par. 28 - Psalm 45 talks prophetically about the Messianic King, Jesus Christ, and about his marriage to the bride class, the 144,000 joint heirs of him in the heavenly kingdom. Then, in addressing the King Jesus Christ, Psalm 45:16 prophetically says: “In place of your forefathers there will come to be your sons, whom you will appoint as princes in all the earth.”

That same Hebrew word for “prince” is found in Isa 43:28 and is used for the priests in the sanctuary, being “disgraced”. It also is the exact same word in Isa 9:6 when referring to Jesus as the “Prince of Peace”. Of course, he is the “high priest” of God’s spiritual Temple. (Heb 4:14; 9:11)

By all rights, this word refers to the anointed priesthood, not to the elder body. But in the wt. where the anointed sit in silence, the elder body is said to “represent the royal priesthood”, a position that cannot be “challenged” (w 02/8/1) , which truly has brought disgrace to the spiritual temple built on the body of Christ. (Isa 43:10;1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2; 2 Chron 23:6; Ezek 44:6-9)

All anointed inside the organization are in subjection to the GB, AND the elder body. (Matt 24:48-51; Rev 13:5-7)

So, by Wt. relating “princes” to the elders, it shows they are both a counterfeit priesthood, as well as counterfeit “princes” wearing “something like crowns of gold”. (Eccl 10:5-7; 2 Chron 13:9; Dan 8:23-25; Rev 9:1-4,7)

I've come to realize that NO teaching by the organization can be trusted. Including where the faithful sealed anointed, symbolic "144,000"/Bride of Christ, will be serving as "princes"/"priests in the Kingdom. Jesus showed us by appearing to the disciples after he was resurrected, that he can and will, be ruling from both heaven and on the earth, with his messengers/angels/priests/princes/Bride of "New Jerusalem", who will be serving the Father, the Son and the people of the Kingdom. (Gen 28:10-16; John 1:50,51; Heb 1:6; Rev 21:1-3; 22:17; Mal 2:7; Psalm 37:29-31)

Rev 5:10 - "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth".