Posts by Konagirl

5

"Slave" is confused about the start of judgment!

by BoogerMan in

(1 peter 4:17) "...it is the appointed time for the judgment to start with the house of god.".

w04 3/1 p. 16 par.

15 - "....christ jesus...in 1918, he came to god’s spiritual temple and fulfilled peter’s words: “it is the appointed time for the judgment to start with the house of god.” (1peter 4:17).

Konagirl

Well, the “house of God” is defined in Isa 43:10; 2 Peter 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16-17; Eph 2:20-22 – the anointed priesthood and spiritual temple of God. And the large majority today, are still found in the Wt., being led by such confusing teachings that you presented.

But, interestingly, their “1000 years”, their “peaceful” reign of Christ AFTER Armageddon, is also referred to as a time of judgment – “Judgment Day” (Bible Teach, pgs 213-215) . So, why are JWs being judged twice? No wonder they tolerate Wt lies, thinking that they have a thousand years to straighten themselves out.

Since the first century…

Matt 10:34 -37 -
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

Heb 4:12 – “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Col 2:8 – “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

Matt 24:24-25 – “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (anointed). 25 See, I have told you beforehand.”

Psalm 55:21 – “His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.”

Rev 16:13-16 - And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, (organization) and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth ( Christ’s kings, Rev 1:5; 5:9-10) and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

16 And they gathered them together (the "saints") to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

1 Tim 4:1 – “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons”

Every lie, every failed doctrine that Watchtower and its leaders have told, are not from Christ who is Truth, the Word (John 1:1), but from “deceiving” and very convincing, spirits”.

2 Cor 10 4-5 – “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”

Eph 5:6-7 – “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.”

1 Cor. 10:21-22 – “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?”

Armageddon is a battle of Christ’s truth against the lies of false prophets who deceive, “take captive” with false doctrine, empty words, empty philosophy, and “surround” “the elect”/”saints”. Luke 21:20,24; 2 The ss 2:3-4; Rev 11:1-2; Rev 20:7-9

God told Israel through Jeremiah, "This is what the Lord of Armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are deluding you. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the Lord’s mouth." Jer 23:29

But what does Wt say? Don't be picky when it comes to your spiritual food. Eat it without complaining.

2 Cor 11: 13-15 - “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”

The Wt. is what, 150 years old? It has changed the whole dynamics of God’s word to convincing millions into devoting their lives to a blasphemous lie – “Jehovah’s spirit-directed organization”. Zech 5:5-11; Luke 22:24-27; Matt 24:48-51; Rev 13:1-2, 4,5-7,11-12,15-17; Rev 18:4-8

18

"You Can't Handle The Truth!"

by FragrantAddendum in

...or can you?.

(we'll see...).

https://youtu.be/ckk850qhgws.

Konagirl

"Benefactors"/GB in Luke 22:25. In the CSB version, Matt 20:25 and Mark 10:42 both use the term "tyrants".

Isaiah 13:11 - I will punish the world for its evil, and wicked people for their iniquities. I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant and humiliate the insolence of tyrants.

18

"You Can't Handle The Truth!"

by FragrantAddendum in

...or can you?.

(we'll see...).

https://youtu.be/ckk850qhgws.

Konagirl

@NotFormer - Konagirl, your post got me thinking. The GB actually IS mentioned in scripture, just not the way they say they are:

Jeremiah 23:1 "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares Jehovah"

That’s really a good point, and the sheep are scattered for various reasons. In the May broadcast the elder brought out that it is the elder body who are the good shepherds, and GB as the wonderful faithful slave providing nourishing food. So, why would the sheep be scattered if God’s sheep are said to be well cared for?

In my opinion, if there are any good, compassionate loving elders, they don’t usually remain in the organization. The bulk, the majority, stay in it for selfish reasons. If they are being called the shepherds, the truth is, they put their concerns ahead of the flock. And we see that in cases of abuse; the victims are tossed aside, scattered to fend on their own. We see it in the total blocking of family from helping those they love in the cases of disfellowshipping.

The sheep are scattered because of men’s waffling doctrines. What are they going to “eat” for the day? Where do they look? The sheep in the organization walk in darkness, not knowing what the new day of “new light” will bring in the form of nourishment. And all that so-called “light” turns out to be complete darkness. It’s totally the opposite of laying down in green pastures and quiet waters of refreshment provided through God’s Son. Those scriptures in Psalm 23:1-3 say “He guides me along the right paths…”

Jesus is the “fine Shepherd” and that elder in the video mentioned him only once, at the very end of his presentation. Jesus tells us that his words are light and life. (John 8:12; Psalm 119:130; Eph 4:14) He said that it is the thief that robs and destroys all the promises held out in his word, through the teaching of men’s doctrine requiring continual new adjustments that must be obeyed. This is because it is a worldly organization of men, and it is not from God. (Acts 7:41; Rom 1:25; Acts 7:48-50; 17:24-25,29; Heb 9:11,24; John 4:23-24)

He told those apostles whom he chose and all who are anointed by Holy Spirit, to teach everyone, “all that I have commanded you”. (Matt 28:20) That would involve properly feeding his sheep as he told Peter to do. (John 21:17) And of course he wouldn’t include the policies needed to run an efficient earthly organization built with money robbed from its victims. (Matt 6:19-21,24) But a wicked slave has beat down any of Christ’s anointed, shutting their mouth to the job they should be doing, the job that the elder body has robbed them of, by “representing the royal priesthood”. (Mal 2:7; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Matt 24:48-51; Mark 13:14; Rev 11:1,2; 1 Cor 3:16-17)

All JWs have the right to question anyone who claims to be anointed. But they’re told by the governing body, not to ask them about their anointing, or told they might be emotionally unbalanced, or not genuine…but these regulations are not directed to the governing body. If all JWs knew what an authentic anointing is all about, then they could spot the fakes.

Yes, as you say the sheep are scattered. False christs, false prophets (Matt 24:24-25) have misled the sheep to put their trust in them, and not in the words of Jesus Christ, the Word of God and the fine Shepherd sent by God. It really gives us a better understanding to the parable of the lost sheep, the leaving of the “99” to find the one lost sheep. (Matt 18:12-13; 11:28) This is our opportunity to listen to HIS voice and follow HIM. John 10:27

Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 13 This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep. “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.” John chapter 10

These are wonderful scriptures that the elder in the video chose not to mention.

18

"You Can't Handle The Truth!"

by FragrantAddendum in

...or can you?.

(we'll see...).

https://youtu.be/ckk850qhgws.

Konagirl

* "Lies are truth"

** "Hate is love"

*** "Flawed is perfection"

**** "Selfishness is generosity"

It reminds me of Isaiah 5:20-23:

“How terrible it will be for those who call evil good
and good evil,
who substitute darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who substitute what is bitter for what is sweet
and what is sweet for what is bitter!”

21 “How terrible it will be for those who are wise in their own opinion,
and clever in their own reckoning!

22 “How terrible it will be for those who are heroes at drinking wine,
and champions in mixing strong drink,
23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
and deprive the innocent of justice!”

26

Still Confused About The FDS

by NotFormer in

this was prompted by another thread where it was revealed that the gb were referred to as "our future kings" in a wt video.

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4911685446402048/fun-moment.

if i've got it right, the 144,000 are (or were until recently) the fds.

Konagirl

“As usual, I'm terribly confused by all of this. Have I managed to get any of it right?”

You must really mean, has the GB gotten anything right? For those who leave the organization, it requires a new wineskin to hold new wine. Matt 9:17

Who "inherit" the earth? We know it's the “meek” and the “righteous” inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:22,29) Is not Jesus Christ righteous? (1 Cor 1:30) Are not those men and women chosen to be his “bride”, and actually follow him and obey him (not obeying men and their false doctrine)…would they not be found “righteous” as well? (Rom 5:19) As a new creation, they are both human and spirit, having access to the “heavens” and the earth. (Gen 28:10-17; 22:17-18; John 1:51; 2 Cor 5:17; 1 Cor 15:40-49; Rev 21:1-2; Rev 5:9,10)

A “two-tiered” system is elemental and harsh. God has a family in mind. He is the Father of all who turn to Him and His Word. Jesus is also called a father. (Isa 9:6). Those anointed who “remain” in him, (John 15:4; 1 John 2:28) (or they return to him in repentance once awakened from captivity to lies – Matt 24:24-25; Col 2:8; Rev 13:10, 7,15, 4, 3:18; John 16:2; Mark 10:28-30; 8:35; Luke 22:32; 1 Pet 4:12-13; Heb 13:13)…

…are referred to as not only as his “brothers”/”brethren” (brother in Greek is two connected words meaning ‘from the same womb’), but also his bride under the new covenant of life, whether they are men or women. (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25) This new covenant, the promise of eternal life, is the “mother of us all”, New Jerusalem. (Gal 4:26)

Jesus is the second Adam (1 Cor 15:45); his “bride” of brothers, sisters chosen under the new covenant represent this covenant/“mother”. (Gal 4:22-28; 3:28-29) The early priesthood was given the job of caring for the needs of Israel, ministering, judging and teaching them the word of God. (1 Chron 6:49; Mal 2:7; Matt 28:19-20; 2 Cor 5:20-21; Rom 15:15-16; 1 Cor 6:1-6) That too, was a “family”, not an organization as the Wt calls it. God called all Israel His children. There was no mention of “staying close to Jehovah’s organization” in those days. It was, stay close and listen to God and His word. Anything else was considered idolatry. And guess who else was there whom they were to listen to? Jesus, as the “Logos” – (Exod 23:20-23; Matt 17:5; John 1:1-4)

The anointed priesthood can only serve as priests/kings if they are able to walk among all of God’s children in the Kingdom. Wt. once said that the anointed will minister as priests in heaven, but how that will be done “remains to be seen”. Well, it was already made known in the scriptures. This is why Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels (meaning “messengers”/priests - Mal 2:7) of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1:51; Gen 28:10-17; 22:17-18.

Since “144,000” is symbolic, then whatever that number comes to when fulfilled, is up to God. The “great crowd” (“great” in power, not number, Matt 5:19) is another segment of that number, who wake up, are “killed” for their testimony of Christ, are sealed, and serve God in His temple "day and night”. (Rev 11:1-3,7-12; Rev 12:11; 7:13-15) They wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb, because they were liars and idolaters…coming from the organization/Beast directed by of false prophets. (Matt 24:24-25; 7:15-20; Rev 13:11,12) Once sealed and once the Kingdom arrives, they are priests/kings and join the “144,000” from the 12 tribes of “Israel”.

But look where this last bunch come from: Rev 5:9,10 - And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign ON THE EARTH.”

They are “living stones” and the last remnant that are added to God’s spiritual temple. (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:20-22; Zech 4:7-8)

There are two groups of anointed – the first group never “worshiped the Beast” of Revelation 13. They were “blameless”. (Rev 14:4-5; 20:4) The smaller second group, the “remaining ones of the woman’s seed”, (Rev 12:1-4,7,17) were taken captive by the “empty philosophy” of false christs, false prophets, just as it was foretold to happen in the last days. (Matt 24:24-25; Col 2:8; 1 Tim 4:1)

Where do we see most of them still? Who boasts that the anointed are in their organization, and that it belongs to “Jehovah”. Yep, in the Wt.,the “Beast”, that spiritually “kills” all who defy it, who discard its “mark” as a “Jehovah’s Witness” who are owned by an organization. (Rev 13:4,15-17) This “great crowd” that overcomes deceit are spoken as victorious over the Beast. (Rev 15:2) Do we really think that the “great crowd” is victorious over the United Nations? And if these ones are victorious, then there was a war they were fighting. (Rev 13:5-7; 16:13-16 – “kings of the earth” belong to Jesus Christ, Rev 1:5; 5:10 They are not kings/rulers of the political world)

You have to fight and win to be victorious - the truth of Christ against the lies of the false prophets that took them captive into their net, called “truth”. (Rev 13:1-2,4,11-14; Hab 1:14-17; Matt 13:47-48) Are JWs fighting for the truth of God, or do they refer everyone to the website, or leave in a rush when confronted with their teachings? It also has nothing to do with JWs standing in a field and waiting for Jesus and his “brothers” to come swooping down with weapons to kill the armies of the nations. The Wt. is a “stronghold” of lies. That’s what we fight against. (2 Cor 10:4-6) This war has everything to do with what comes out of the mouth, and standing up for Jesus Christ and the word of God. (Luke 6:43-45)

The FDS? Christ makes that call when he returns. (Matt 25:14-30)

If any of these scriptures seem out of place, please let me know! Thanks.

40

How does the Govering Body get enlightenment?

by no-zombie in

from the earliest of times of the catholic church's ecumenical councils were used to make major changes to its doctrinal direction.

decisions were made by bishops, they were ratified by the pope ... and it was done.

and the laity had to accepted them or not.. and while splinter catholic religions accepted most of these councils, non-trinitarian faiths which developed latter (of which jehovah's witnesses are apart) did not.

Konagirl

I posted this on fb, but for those who aren't members, I'll post some it here. I was commenting on the video attached: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ik2EUeZM0

“It (the governing body of JWs) can ERR in doctrinal matters or organizational direction.”

And another by an elder /“helper” of the governing body: “They (the governing body of JWs) NEVER LIE or DECEIVE us”

“That’s just not how it works”, says the young man, about similar conflicting statements made by false prophets of his own religion. Well, how DOES it work? The truth of God is consistent, reliable, and it remains. (Psalm 119:160; John 4:24; 1 Cor 1:9; John 17:17; James 1:17) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A160%3B+John+4%3A24%3B+1+Cor+1%3A9%3B+John+17%3A17%3B+James+1%3A17&version=NKJV

Here’s the guideline Jesus Christ gave to the foundation “living stones” of God’s spiritual temple built on Christ’s body:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear FRUIT, fruit that will ENDURE (“remain”), so that the Father will give you WHATEVER YOU ASK in my name.“ John 15:16

(John 2:19-21; Matt 16:18; 1 Pet 2:5,9; Matt 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:20-22) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A+19-21%3B+Matt+16%3A18%3B+1+Pet+2%3A5%2C9%3B+Matt+28%3A20%3B+1+Cor+3%3A16%3B+Eph+2%3A20-22&version=NKJV

In Matthew, chapter 7, Jesus tells us to be aware of false prophets producing rotten (“worthless, corrupt, putrefied”) FRUIT/teachings. (Matt 7:15-20)

It is nurtured in the heart, and spoken out of the mouth. (Luke 4:5-7; Mark 4:3,7,18-19; Luke 6:45; 1 John 4:1; Matt 24:24-25) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A5-7%3B+Mark+4%3A3%2C7%2C18-19%3B+Luke+6%3A45%3B+1+John+4%3A1%3B+Matt+24%3A24-25&version=NKJV

Every doctrinal teaching that must be changed by the governing leaders eventually vanishes from the attention of JWs, and falls into obscurity. Their waffling doctrines are more than errors; they are deliberate acts of deceit. (Job 15:35; Psalm 36:1-4; Jer 9:6; Eph 5:6; 2 Pet 2:1-3; Matt 24:24-25; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 13:11,12,15; 16:13-16; 19:20) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+15%3A35%3B+Psalm+36%3A1-4%3B+Jer+9%3A6%3B+Eph+5%3A6%3B+2+Pet+2%3A1-3%3B+Matt+24%3A24-25%3B+1+Tim+4%3A1%3B+Rev+13%3A11%2C12%2C15%3B+16%3A13-16%3B+19%3A20&version=NKJV

The fruit produced and spoken by the dual relationship of the governing leaders and their “Gentile” army of elders - both entities represented in the video - is an ongoing harvest of corrupt and diseased “fruit” – teachings that come out of the mouth. So rotten in fact, that even they cannot preserve them until Christ returns. (Eccl 12:9-14; Prov 22:12; Matt 12:37; 25:29-30; Eph 4:25;1 Cor 3:13; Ezek 13:3,10-12,15-16) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eccl+12%3A9-14%3B+Prov+22%3A12%3B+Matt+12%3A37%3B+25%3A29-30%3B+Eph+4%3A25%3B1+Cor+3%3A13%3B+Ezek+13%3A3%2C10-12%2C15-16&version=NKJV

They label their fruit “nourishing spiritual food at the proper time” provided by Jesus Christ, and which should bolster the faith of JWs. (Isa 28:7-9) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa+28%3A7-9&version=NKJV

(Who REALLY is the “faithful slave”? - https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2014/08/who-really-is-matt2445.html)

But does it? Jesus tells us:

“Do not work for food that SPOILS, but for food that ENDURES to eternal life, which the Son of Man WILL give you. “ John 6:27

Yet, the governing leaders proclaim that Jesus never promised to provide “perfect” food, their meager attempt at excusing their hypocrisy and lies. Their human doctrine stems from fleshly desires that are proven NOT TO ENDURE. (Matt 6:19-20; Phil 3:18-19) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+6%3A19-20%3B+Phil+3%3A18-19&version=NKJV

Is Jesus imperfect like men? Would any of his words prove to be imperfect? Would any of his promises given to those faithful ones that he has chosen to teach others, prove to be failures? (Psalm 18:30; Matt 19:21; 6:24; Heb 12:1-2; 1 John 2:2; John 14:6; 12:49-50; John 17:6,17; John 13:20; Matt 28:20; Mal 2:7) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+18%3A30%3B+Matt+19%3A21%3B+6%3A24%3B+Heb+12%3A1-2%3B+1+John+2%3A2%3B+John+14%3A6%3B+12%3A49-50%3B+John+17%3A6%2C17%3B+John+13%3A20%3B+Matt+28%3A20%3B+Mal+2%3A7&version=NKJV

To those anointed priests who are to spread his truth, and truth endures forever, he promised in John 15:16 and John 6:27 that he and the Father would give “whatever you ask” to a faithful servant who remains in Christ, and who desires to understand the wisdom of God. (John 15:1-2,5-6; 1 John 2:27; Luke 11:9-13; John 16:13) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A1-2%2C5-6%3B+1+John+2%3A27%3B+Luke+11%3A9-13%3B+John+16%3A13&version=NKJV

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you continue to bear much fruit and PROVE to be my disciples.” John 15:7

From the vast evidence of false and failed teachings, we have substantial PROOF that the governing leaders and their world-wide elder body, are not disciples of truth and Jesus Christ, but disciples of the father of the lie. (John 8:44; 2 Cor 11:13-15) Jesus does not bestow the power and wisdom of Holy Spirit upon men who exalt themselves over Christ, and who willingly produce teachings or “food” /fruit that liberally issues from their corrupt heart and mind. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A44%3B2+Cor+11%3A13-15&version=NKJV

“NO rotten (or “corrupt”/”unwholesome”) word must proceed from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear.” Eph 4:29

So, as we see in the video, what comes out of the mouth of these pretentious representatives of the organization, is glaring hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1; Mark 7:6-7; 1 Tim 4:1-2; 2 Cor 11:3-4; Heb 3:12; Rom 10:3; 2 Pet 2:21) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A1%3B+Mark+7%3A6-7%3B+1+Tim+4%3A1-2%3B+2+Cor+11%3A3-4%3B+Heb+3%3A12%3B+Rom+10%3A3%3B+2+Pet+2%3A21&version=NKJV

Neither one of these leaders is telling the truth. (Dan 11:27; Jer 5:30-31; Matt 12:33-37; 23:27-28) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dan+11%3A27%3B+Jer+5%3A30-31%3B+Matt+12%3A33-37%3B+23%3A27-28&version=NKJV

Ephesians 5:9 –“FOR THE FRUIT OF LIGHT IS FOUND IN ALL THAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT AND TRUE.”

(Romans 3:4; John 12:48; Eph 5:6-9; Col 2:8; John 8:12; 1:4-5) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A4%3B+John+12%3A48%3B+Eph+5%3A6-9%3B+Col+2%3A8%3B+John+8%3A12%3B+1%3A4-5&version=NKJV

40

Dates and times

by jhine in

last night at my bible study group we looked at 1thessalonians ch 5 .

we have been working through the whole letter.

verses 1-11 start with .

Konagirl

1 Thess 5:2-4 - “for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

I equate these scriptures to those in the organization. They have already said that the “day of the Lord”, “the Lord’s day” arrived in 1914. 2 Thess 2:1-4

They believe they are alert, prepared, and not in darkness, which we all know is a lie.

They believe they have spiritual “peace and security”, when we know this is a façade and a snare.

They preach another “Jesus”, one that fully accepts the lies taught by their leaders. (2 Cor 11:4)

Lies keep people in spiritual darkness, oppressive blindness, and danger for their souls. So, when the true “day of the Lord” arrives, it is like a thief in the night for them.

Amos 5:18 – “Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! What will the day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light.”

17

Enjoy hope without disappointment

by Mikejw in

todays watchtower is very interesting on many levels.

they know that millions are disappointed.. https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=e&prefer=lang&docid=2023681.

i also found it interesting they talk about brother fred franz and show his picture.

Konagirl

From the article - Christians today, too, can expect tribulation of some sort. (2 Tim. 3:12) What about you? As you put faith in Jesus and follow him, has tribulation come your way? Friends and relatives may have ridiculed you.

This is so aggravatingly twisted. How can JWs even attempt to have faith in Jesus and claim to follow him, who is truth and salvation, when they see a glamourized picture depicting a liar exalted as a wise man, an “oracle” of God and past leader of their organization - their salvation? They are blindly following liars, not Christ. If they followed Jesus’ example and spoke against hypocrisy, they would find themselves disfellowshipped, thrown out of the congregation, and thrown out of the organization for speaking “blasphemy” against it. Mark 14:63,64; John 16:2; Heb 13:12-13; Rev 13:15; Rev 11:3,7

What is blasphemy, and who really is guilty of speaking it? "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy". Luke 12:1

No solid hope can be derived from JW doctrine. “Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, “Is not this thing, (this organization/way to salvation) in my right hand, a lie?” Isaiah 44:20

39

Faithful Slave Appointment: What are the assumptions of Watchtower Matthew 24:45-47 Eschatology?

by Vanderhoven7 in

text: matthew 24:45-47.

45 “who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?

46 it will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Konagirl

Hi Vanderhoven7,

Luke 16:23 - “And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

Hades is not “hellfire” – Gehenna.

It means the opposite of seeing, of perceiving. adh hadE G86 n_ Dat Sg m UN-PERCEIVED unseen

I don’t know why some translations say “hell” for this verse. Even the NKJV contradicts itself using hell. In James 3:6, it adds a footnote saying “hell” refers to Gehenna.

“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by [e]hell.” James 3:6 Gr. Gehenna

To tell you the truth, I don’t know what type of hellfire doctrine the Pharisees taught, or if they were all consistent in teaching it. Their valley of Gehenna, as we know, was the early location of child sacrifice, which leaders, kings of Israel participated in. Jesus was not using their supposed doctrine of hellfire, but speaking of Sheol/Hades, the pit which they knew all about from the scriptures. It has many descriptions, including this one:

They have provoked my jealousy
with what is not a god;
they have enraged me with their worthless idols.
So I will provoke their jealousy
with what is not a people;
I will enrage them with a foolish nation.
For fire has been kindled because of my anger
and burns to the depths of Sheol;
it devours the land and its produce,
and scorches the foundations of the mountains.

How can a literal hellfire devour mountains and land?

Pay attention, heavens, and I will speak;
listen, earth, to the words from my mouth. Deut 32:21-22,1

God's word is a "consuming fire". Jer 23:29

Jer 5:4 - Therefore, this is what the Lord God of Armies says: Because you have spoken this word, I am going to make my words become fire in your mouth. These people are the wood, and the fire will consume them.

You said - Secondly, how do you think the Pharisees justified not lifting a finger to help the poor?

How does any wicked leader justify not lifting a finger to help the poor? Isn’t an age-old repeat, and we see it in the Watchtower?... who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!’ Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. Isa 65:5

Psalm 93 NIV - How long, Lord, will the wicked,
how long will the wicked be jubilant?

They pour out arrogant words;
all the evildoers are full of boasting.
5 They crush your people, Lord;
they oppress your inheritance.
6 They slay the widow and the foreigner;
they murder the fatherless.
7 They say, “The Lord does not see;
the God of Jacob takes no notice.”

This, is how they justify their actions.

The wicked band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death. (21)

NLT verse 23 - God will turn the sins of evil people back on them. He will destroy them for their sins. The LORD our God will destroy them.

39

Faithful Slave Appointment: What are the assumptions of Watchtower Matthew 24:45-47 Eschatology?

by Vanderhoven7 in

text: matthew 24:45-47.

45 “who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?

46 it will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Konagirl

Hi Vanderhoven

Your message is a little confusing for me. If the ungodly perish, vanish, as scriptures say, then there is no eternal torment that a person is aware of, after judgment in the lake of fire - judgment, the words, lies that they lived by, but also the words of God condemnation coming against them. That, is their suffering and torment.

Their torment ascends like smoke. What happens after something is burned up? The smoke is a memory of what the wicked did and the judgment that came upon them. It is the legacy that they leave behind. I watched this literally happen where I live. When the forests around us burned in a raging fire, the smoke persisted long after the trees were nothing but ash. “Fire” symbolizes words that which come from one’s mouth – either God’s word of truth (Jer 23:29; Rev 11:1-5) or that of Satan’s words of lies. (Rev 13:11,13; 12:3; Rev 13:15,4) Both, are words of condemnation. There is no literal fire that people will be subjected to when thrown into the lake of fire. Is that what you are meaning? I didn’t think so by your previous comments, but maybe I misunderstood. God was against the sacrificing of children in a literal fire. If that never came to His mind, why would He condone the eternal physical burning of the wicked? (Jer 19:5)

Psalm 37:20 – “But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.” There is not an “afterlife” of torment for the wicked to be eternally cognizant of. Isa 41:11

Hell, is Gehenna, not Hades or Sheol or the abyss, or even Tartarus. (James 3:6) The rich man, whether he was alive or dead, was already in Hades. When on earth, he was already “dead” spiritually, because he rejected Jesus Christ. (John 6:63; Eph 2:1; Rom 6:13) The Pharisees were well aware of Sheol, Hades and what it meant. It is spiritual captivity to darkness and separation from God. This is Satan’s realm of darkness. (Rev 9:11; Prov 15:11; Job 26:6) Without the light of Christ, we remain in a spiritual “Hades” while we are in the flesh.

Where did Jesus go when he died, and who did he talk to? 1 Pet 3:18-19; 2 Pet 2:4

It’s not a literal place, it is a spiritual state of “not perceiving”. In the case of the rich man in Hades, his hardened heart refused to perceive, to accept within him why Jesus came, and the light of life he offered to those who turned to him. (Isa 14:14-15) And the chasm between darkness and light is great. There is no crossing over to the light unless one seeks to find it, and the heart is determined to serve God with all their heart, soul and mind. (2 Sam 22:6-20) In the case of the rich man, that was not his intention, even though he faced God's judgment in the lake of fire.