Posts by Konagirl

7

Does the Governing Body already know that Jehovah (the name) came from Babylon the Great?

by Chevelle in

i'll start by stating the obvious... according to the watchtower, the catholic church is a huge part of babylon the great which is led by satan and his demons.

raymundus martini, a catholic monk (who "represents" babylon the great to some extent), woke up one day in the 13th century and decided to alter yhwh so it can be easily pronounced.

hence the spanish-ish version of yhwh was created... jehova... (sounds something like this in spanish: heh-o-va).

"According to the Watchtower, the Catholic Church is a huge part of Babylon the Great which is led by Satan and his demons. Raymundus Martini, a Catholic Monk (who "represents" Babylon the Great to some extent), woke up one day in the 13th Century and decided to alter YHWH so it can be easily pronounced. Hence the SPANISH-ish version of YHWH was created... Jehova... (sounds something like this in Spanish: Heh-O-Va)"

Apparently, the alteration goes back even further.

20

Awakening thoughts

by aqwsed12345 in

jw
friends

a "waking up", but still a member, jehovah's witness acquaintance of mine from eastern europe wrote the following lines:.

"i count among the main sins of the watchtower society:.

1. concealment.

Konagirl

"It is precisely for this reason that I am puzzled by the fact that it was this organization that unfairly deceived and misled me, hiding its actions from me, and trying to treat me like a forever debtor, a helpless lamb, an empty cabbage head, who is unable to cope without the watchful eye of Big Brother."

26 "...for wicked men live among my people.
They watch like hunters lying in wait.
They set a trap;
they catch men.
27 Like a cage full of birds,
so their houses are full of deceit.
Therefore they have grown powerful and rich.
28 They have become fat and sleek.
They have also excelled in evil matters.
They have not taken up cases,
such as the case of the fatherless, so they might prosper,
and they have not defended the rights of the needy." Jer 5:26-28

"The whole methodology basically aims to maintain an illusion: the illusion of unity, and the illusion that the learner gains serious biblical knowledge. But he doesn't."

"The Lord continued, “Never spread false rumors. Don’t join forces with wicked people by giving false testimony. 2 Never follow a crowd in doing wrong. When you testify in court, don’t side with the majority to pervert justice." Exod 23:1-2

8

Meaning of Elder from the horses mouth as contrasted with Clergy

by Longlivetherenegades in

jw
friends

meaning of as captured in one of their publications.... .

elder: a spiritually mature male witness appointed to teach and to provide pastoral care for the well-being of congregation members.

an elder must meet the scriptural qualifications as outlined at 1 timothy 3:1-7; titus 1:5-9; james 3:17, 18; and 1 peter 5:2.. elders are not paid ministers and are not employees of their respective congregation or any corporation associated with jehovah’s witnesses.

Konagirl

“We were not called, nor anointed to receive honor and amass wealth but to spend and be spent, and to preach the good news.” W 20 October pg 21

Okay, who receives honor as an anointed one but the GB, who, acting as benefactors/high officials/tyrants (depending on the translation), of the organization, have also amassed great wealth. (Mark 10:41-45 CSB; Luke 22:24-27 CSB; Matt 20:24-28 NIV)

But a true faithful anointed one following in the footsteps of Christ (not possible in the Wt), would most definitely not expect any honor to be given them. That would be bestowed on them at Jesus’ return. (Matt 25:21)

And no honor is attributed to them in the magazines.

Then why do elders, who “represent” this anointed priesthood, need to be honored?

46

Does the WTS have a clergy class (yes-no)

by blondie in

jw
friends

wt 2021 october p.20 "in contrast, true worshippers of jehovah have no clergy.

although we respect those who are taking the lead, we accept jesus’ clear teaching: “all of you are brothers.”".

ijbq article 92 point 6: in contrast, true worshippers of jehovah have no clergy.

Konagirl

Fisherman - "The JW do not identify as having a clergy and laity class, all brothers. That is how JW self define."

Self-defined on the surface only. You may think that they are all “brothers”, but the elder “clergy”/pseudo priesthood, the elders themselves, must be obeyed. Any time someone is told to obey someone else, a class distinction is made.

Jesus expected obedience to his word, and if anyone brings the teachings of Christ as an “ambassador” of Christ, it is still the word of God that is to be obeyed, not the person. Faithful “leaders” in Christ, led individuals to Jesus Christ, not to themselves. But since the organization has its own set of rules that add and detract from the word of God, it is not a surprise that JWs must obey the elders.

“When we loyally obey the elders and other brothers appointed by “the faithful and discreet slave,” we show that we want to help Christ’s brothers.” ws15 3/15 pp. 24-29

“Why do we obey the elders? Because we appreciate these “gifts in men” and we love Jehovah and Christ, the Head of the congregation.” ws14 6/15 p. 8

“Is it, in fact, men I am now trying to persuade or God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I would not be Christ’s slave.” Gal 1:10

By the way, the “gifts in men” apply to the “saints”/anointed that the elders hold authority over, and which authority cannot be “challenged”. Eph 4:4-12 (Wt 02/8/1)

What happens if someone challenges the “authority” of an elder? No brotherhood to be found there.

46

Does the WTS have a clergy class (yes-no)

by blondie in

jw
friends

wt 2021 october p.20 "in contrast, true worshippers of jehovah have no clergy.

although we respect those who are taking the lead, we accept jesus’ clear teaching: “all of you are brothers.”".

ijbq article 92 point 6: in contrast, true worshippers of jehovah have no clergy.

Konagirl

Fisherman:

hey have a clergy. Elders, Deacons, Bishops, etc. Except they call them Elders, Ministerial Servants, and Circuit Overseers.

"That is not a “clergy” class."

A "clergy" class of priests? Remember they said so themselves:

“Representing the royal priesthood are appointed elders, who serve in positions of responsibility in congregations of Jehovah’s people around the earth.” Wt 02/8/1

If I am a teacher's substitute, can it not be said that I am the teacher for the day, and am treated by the students as a teacher?

Yes, the elders are standing in the position of the anointed priesthood/spiritual temple, where they don't belong. Mark 13:14

46

Does the WTS have a clergy class (yes-no)

by blondie in

jw
friends

wt 2021 october p.20 "in contrast, true worshippers of jehovah have no clergy.

although we respect those who are taking the lead, we accept jesus’ clear teaching: “all of you are brothers.”".

ijbq article 92 point 6: in contrast, true worshippers of jehovah have no clergy.

Konagirl

Longlivetherenegades - "The C.O told me he has to follow the process and procedures and today the rest is history. Announcement made regarding such appointment is the ORDINATION they deny they don't do."

Well, they mention "ordained"...

Worldwide, a total of 21,629 ordained ministers staff the branch facilities. syr22 p. 2 - 2022 Service Year Report

· All baptized Witnesses are ordained ministers and share in the preaching and teaching work. Frequently Asked Questions About Jehovah’s Witnesses p. 13

This is a manmade “anointing”, since they also use the word “ordained” in relationship to the early anointed priesthood, but in that case it is a matter of being “God-ordained”.

“ And since Jehovah recognized no priesthood aside from that of the house of Aaron during the existence of the Law covenant, it follows that what Aaron’s office foreshadowed, namely, the priesthood of Jesus Christ, who is also the greater High Priest according to the manner of Melchizedek, is the only way of approach to Jehovah. (Ac 4:12; Heb 4:14; 1Jo 2:1, 2) Any priesthood that opposes this God-ordained King-Priest and his underpriesthood is to be avoided by true worshipers of God.—De 18:18, 19; Ac 3:22, 23; Re 18:4, 24.” It-2
For sure, I know there is much opposition against the "underpriests" if they speak against lies. Ray Franz and others, are examples of those kicked out for speaking up for truth in the scriptures. (John 16:2), and it is the elder "priesthood"/clergy doing the dirty work.
From what I am (barely) perceiving about you, I believe you will not survive being an elder for long. At least I hope so.

46

Does the WTS have a clergy class (yes-no)

by blondie in

jw
friends

wt 2021 october p.20 "in contrast, true worshippers of jehovah have no clergy.

although we respect those who are taking the lead, we accept jesus’ clear teaching: “all of you are brothers.”".

ijbq article 92 point 6: in contrast, true worshippers of jehovah have no clergy.

Konagirl

"In contrast, true worshippers of Jehovah have no clergy."

“Clergy” - c. 1200, "man ordained in the ministry, a priest, an ecclesiastic," from Old English cleric and Old French clerc "clergyman, priest; scholar, student," both from Church Latin clericus "a priest," noun use of adjective meaning "priestly, belonging to the clerus"

So, this is the thing that I’ve noticed. The anointed, and yes there are genuine anointed in the organization, are priests. (Mal 2:7; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 5:9,10) But the doctrine of men says they must not act as priests until after Armageddon. The apostle Paul stated that he was a priest, and he was certainly “active”.

“Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points] because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the gospel of God. God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Rom 15:15,16

So, an active genuine priesthood ended with the advent of the organization. Well then, does the elder body act as priests?

Mal 2:7 – “For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should desire instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the Lord of Armies.”

Sure they do, except they are counterfeit priests acting on behalf of an organization. They guard its knowledge, they instruct the congregations, and they are the messengers for the organization.

They say this: “Representing the royal priesthood are appointed elders, who serve in positions of responsibility in congregations of Jehovah’s people around the earth.” Wt 02/8/1

If they are “representing” the anointed, aren’t they active? This appointment is all bogus, but real. The elders have gone so far as not only acting as a priesthood, but as judges of the “royal priesthood”. And this priesthood of anointed “living stones” are the temple dwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. 1 Pet 2:5, 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22; Mark 13:14; 1 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2

“If any of you has a dispute against another, how dare you take it to court before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Or don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the trivial cases? 3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels—how much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have such matters, do you appoint as your judges those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame! Can it be that there is not one wise person among you who is able to arbitrate between fellow believers?” 1 Cor 6

But the organization has other ideas.

Wt 02/8/1 - “Rather than challenge their authority, we truly appreciate our hardworking elders!”

That's a pretty arrogant statement. I do believe that the apostle Paul would certainly challenge the elder body’s bogus authority, just as all genuine anointed ones should as well. This statement is like a slap in the face to the anointed ones.

“In fact, you put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone is arrogant toward you, if someone slaps you in the face.” 2 Cor 11:20

The organization has made it very clear that the anointed are to remain silent. Why? Because if the genuine priesthood was active as a body (Eph 4:4), and faithfully serving God under their High Priest, Jesus Christ by offering sacrifices of praise in truth (1 John 2:27; Heb 13:25), there would be a great conflict of interest. Why else would the Wt. even mention that the elders “authority” cannot be challenged? (Rev 13:5-7) Active and faithful priests under Jesus Christ, would not allow the doctrine of men to be taught; instead, they would be teaching all that Jesus commanded them. (Matt 28:20) Only Christ’s teachings, the word of God, would be on their lips; and ultimately the power of not only the elder body, but also the governing body would dissolve. (Matt 24:48-51) An “organization” built by men and all of the doctrine needed to keep it up and running, would not exist. As Jesus stated, we are to worship the Father in spirit and truth, not in a physical “mountainlike organization”. (John 4:21-24; Eph 2:20-22; Zech 4:6-10; Isa 2:1-3)

So yeah, the Watchtower does have a clergy, a massive “priesthood” of elders worldwide that are too arrogant (or blindly ignorant) to realize that God would never condone the replacing of His appointed priests. (Ezek 44:6-9)

31

A year since I have been back

by Lee Marsh in

jw
friends

a year ago i came back to jwd.

the 2 years before that.

when covid stated, i was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Konagirl

Dear Lee Marsh,

I failed to hold back tears when reading your account. I don’t know you, but I just want to say that you are stronger and braver than any of us can imagine, although I feel I have a small inkling of what you went through. My husband died in the summer of 2020 of the same cancer. In those days he would tell me, and any whom he spoke to on the phone, that he couldn’t go through each excruciating step if I wasn’t there for him. Thankfully, even in the time of the virus, the doctors made special circumstances for me to be with him, but on a limited basis. Radiation, surgery, extended chemotherapy; all for naught, since the cancer ultimately consumed his entire body.

So your story is one of extraordinary stamina and success, and it does all of us good to hear it. Thank you for sharing it.

76

Scriptures That Don’t Fit WT Theology

by Sea Breeze in

here’s a couple good ones: a. jesus said, “come to me and i will give you rest”.. why did jesus command us to go to him and not jehovah?.

why does the bible say that the name of jesus is above every name?

.

Konagirl

@Sea Breeze - Jesus said, “Come to Me and I will give you rest”.

John 14:14 – “If you ask me anything I will do it.”

WT. Kingdom Interlinear Translation - “if ever anything you should ask me in the name of me this I shall do”

NWT - If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.

Well, that changed the meaning. Obviously, a JW will not ask Jesus for anything in prayer, not even the “144,000”. But if he is their mediator, why can they not ask him “anything”? And we know he is speaking of wisdom, which is sorely lacking in the organization. (John 14:26)

The story unfolds…

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

He is the mediator for all of us who desire to follow his and obey his teachings.

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees—hypocrites!—because you shut the kingdom of heaven before people! For you do not enter, nor permit those wanting to go in to enter. Matt 23:13

So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:7-9

This surely points to the leaders of the Wt as today’s “thief” of John 10:10