3.. why did jesus say that his disciples would not complete their circuit of preaching "until the son of man arrives"?
(matt.
10:23) [jan. 14, w10 9/15 p. 10 par.
Our circuit overseer last year stated with full confidence from the platform that every single individual on earth will hear the "good news" before Jesus executes justice. He went on to say that we don't know how this will be fully accomplished - but "don't give up" in the preaching activity. And...then said that the new JW.org website will surely play a part in spreading the message earthwide.
The audience was full of dopey smiling faces.
i was wondering if anyone has a pdf of the book,.
'the even tide' by.
john aquila brown.. it is out of print it seems.
The link below is an excellent resource for uncovering the real origins of our beliefs. Contrary to what we've been fed through the Proclaimers book and WT history videos, C.T. Russell and his small band of "sincere bible students" did not miraculously find new Biblical truths. It was just a repackaging of ideas and interpretations from many (particularly Adventist) sources...
This website is out of the UK and is admittedly pro-JW. Hundreds of scans of old books and magazines.
perhaps i am overthinking this.......but i may have come to the conclusion that the gb's refusal to address and explain in detail all of the changes mentioned at the 2012 annual meeting is in and of itself.....their final explanation.
from what i have gathered by speaking discreetly with those that are still "in" but on the fringe.......the information given at the 2012 meeting meant practically nothing to most jws.
in fact.....most are still completely unaware of the changes.
In 1922 at the "Cedar Point Convention", a banner was in place with the letters A D V on in. "Excitement ran high" and "everyone was trying to guess what they meant"..... (see Proclaimers book and JW history videos). On the final day the banner was slowly unveiled to reveal the new sales slogan to advertise the king and his kingdom. Rutherford, in later issues of the WT, defines how this slow reveal actually fulfills biblical prophecy. NUTS!
JW's love secrets. It's part of our history and the board of directors know this. They encourage this.
I believe the "new light" about the GB is a clear message being sent to all of us. It's a consolidation of power - a symbolic statement of who is really in charge! Perhaps an attempt to assert their authority over the legal, finance and real estate departments...?
Pay attention at next months memorial. The final comments in the talk are about how Jehovah wants you to be a part of the "family" of worshipers. And that everyone must "obey the rules of the household".
http://www.believermag.com/issues/201302/?read=article_scorah.
i found it a very interesting read.
the article was linked on one of my fav websites digg.
Excellent article. Thanks for the link!
unless all of the following scriptures are being taken out of context, it appears that the present day gb should "be at it urgently", and re-name our christian denomination pretty quickly.
otherwise, by claiming to be god's sole channel of communication on earth, they are indicting themselves as being 'blind guides' due to their adherence to j.f.
john 5:37 - "the father who sent me has himself borne witness about me.".
The Governing Body of JW's has changed their name to God's "Faithful and Discreet Slave."
So....don't be suprised by any changes of labels. It's been happening in this organization for 100 years. The progression to re-naming "Jehovah's Witnesses" to the "Christian Congregation" has already taken place. The world headquarters of JW's in New York is now only refered to as the United States "Branch."
The next "new light" will be that the "World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses" is really in heaven. Wait....I think they already say that!
up for grabs: watchtower may 1, 2013. .
what does it mean that jehovah draws us?
the greek verb rendered draws is also used in reference to hauling in a net of fishes.
It's a quote from William Barclay, a 20th century Scottish theologian.
i'm really interested in this question because i've heard for years that if you forgo further education and go pioneering, when you have a family down the track you will get a good job because jehovah will provide for you because you pioneered.
as long as i was a kool-aid drinker, even then, i thought, "how does pioneering pay your bills?
surely education should come first.
I was fortunate to be raised by pretty liberal JW parents. I was encouraged to pursue and earn a degree (in the 1980's) and it has opened up opportunities throughout my life. I've seen the results of parents kneeled to the directions of the WT about raising kids. As these posts express, it leads to disappointment, struggles and resentment. But the JW "blame game" mentality for the woes in ones life has to stop - if a life well lived is your desire. Stop allowing the WT - or your JW parents - to control you as an adult. Erbie sets a great example! You're never too old to further your eductation. Adjust your circumstances (I know that sound JWish...) to achieve your goals. If you are in the US, take advantage of the Pell Grant and your state's grants. There are thousands of scholarships available. Get certified in something. Take classes at night or online. The majority of students in public university right now are going to school at NO COST.
As a side note, when some of us entered into college or universities after high school we were treated very badly in the congregations and circuit. After we had our degrees, these same folks were dying for us to marry one of their kids.
i was talking to mrs cedars earlier about one of the things that really frustrates me about our situation as "faders" - namely the fact that we are looked down on by our respective parents, not to mention other older generations of our family.
it strikes me that the incessant attempts to drag us back into unquestioned loyalty to the organization is actually extremely selfish, even though (in their minds) they have only our best interests at heart.. i think of it this way.
they made a decision when they were younger to follow in the footsteps of their own parents' faith - without doing objective research into the beliefs or history of the organization.
Cedars - It's quite probable that your parents think ya'll are the ones being selfish... In their eyes you have been "corrupted" by independent thinking and are lacking the "self sacrificing spirit" that is held in high esteem by lifelong JW's (this is a justification device used to ease their own insecurities). You are ruining their hopes of having a family that is well known in your area for being "steadfast" in the truth. You have decided to break the cycle of victimization. As my spouse and I continue in our fade (both raised in), we are beginning to feel the pressure too. Our respective families are large and very well known in the southern US.
The trick is managing your own "separation anxiety" and guilt. You can't control what other folks think about you.
Thank you for jwsurvey. It's been a great help to many of us on the other side of the pond!
gingerbread
long time lurker, first time poster.
i'm really glad i can join your community because i've been in the wts for the last 14 years and now i'm on my way out and it's great to meet like-minded people!.
about me: i started learning jw ways when i was in my teens.
Welcome! It's an exciting time in your life...enjoy the process and be patient. I was allowed to pursue a degree as a young adult and now see it as wonderful gift from rational JW parents. After 40 years of regular involvement in this religious group - myself, the spouse and our kids are exiting. Be careful and fade smart!
over the years, many well-intentioned posters have been frustrated when they ask fellow apostates (wear the name proudly!
) to band together to let the world know how corrupt and destructive the wt cult is.
i think there are some hard facts about this particular cult that make combatting it so frustrating:.
Jehovah's Witnesses aren't outwardly radical. To our neighbors we appear clean-cut, honest, law-abiding, family oriented, hard-working people (JW's are busy all the time!). The only odd things that neighbors might pick up on is the lack of holiday decorations (not necessarily all that unusual anymore) and we stick to ourselves (this could be seen as a personal or family quirk).
At this point of my family's fade - and eventual exit - we don't have any desire to join in on a "new" cause. We've had enough of trying to convince others that we are right. And we've decided to stop looking at life through a set of "negativity" glasses.
I guess we'd just rather go camping!
