In my opinion, the new light regarding the FDS addresses this question, if there was no FDS from the 3rd century on until 1918, and yet the article states that there were anointed followers here and there during that almost 2000 years of no FDS, then what organization did they follow? There was no organization, yet they were anointed per the article. It appears that they must have simply been judged worthy without any affiliation to any standing organization. That point, my friends, will be the most difficult aspect of the new light to try to make sense of. Over the course of the modern day organization, it has been driven home that God does not work without an organization to represent his interests. Well, that is apparently no longer the case.
Separation of Powers
JoinedPosts by Separation of Powers
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24
The only thing a JW needs to know to be set free from their religion
by yadda yadda 2 inbillions of human beings right now are muslims, hindus, buddhists, etc, etc.
they do not know a jot about 'jehovah' or the 'watchtower bible & tract society of new york" etc etc.
what is going to happen to these billions of persons at armageddon?.
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What Would JWs Do if all the GB died at once?
by bafh inin another thread on the board, someone talked about their friend being a sniper in the marines and being very angry at the gb with thoughts of revenge.
it made me wonder - what would happen to the jws if in some strange turn of events, all the gb died at the same time?
how would they carry on if their leadership was snuffed out?
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Separation of Powers
There are always enough people waiting in the wings to step in, in the event something as outrageous as what was mentioned occured. The recent appointment of Sanderson(?) is proof of that. Where did he come from? Why select him? Well, I believe his introduction, found also in the July 15 2013 study edition I might add, stated that he assisted in the Service Desk. Most of the new group progressed through the Service Desk or assistants to the Writing Committee, and some were simply underlings of the Branch Committees. You just need to profess to be of the anointed for long enough that any scandal caused by your partaking has subsided and people simply accept the notion that you are by your continued loyalty to the process.
As for the Nethenim, that was an experiment gone awry. Now with the expectation that the earthly anointed will be "gathered up" (a la rapture), there is no need for a Nethenim because the supply of the professed may well be inexhaustible.
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We just love this new idea
by Separation of Powers init is probable that if the domestics include the great crowd (other sheep) and the belief is that no fds can be proven to have existed from the death of the last apostle until the reestablished fds in 1918, that most believers from the death of the last apostle or the "dawn" of the 2nd century as the article puts it, will soon be considered other sheep.
the wheat and the weeds articles makes it a point to use a particular expression.
it uses "overgrown" where the parable uses oversown.
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Separation of Powers
@frankiespeakin- I agree, I have always wondered why it is ok to question standing doctrine when one rises to the upper echelon of the hieracrchy but it is considered an offense for anyone else. I guess it depends more on your proven loyalty based on your current position.
@problemaddict- I appreciate your response. The belief that there are more anointed than those who comprise the FDS is understood. If, however, there is "no line of truth" as noted in your comment, or no actual succession of FDS representation, that would imply that there was no collective group of Christians. This could easily be argued based on the premise that if there was no FDS than there were no domestics to feed. Otherwise, how to you justify that there was indeed a group of Christians, if there was no one to feed them. The reasoning is circular, that is realized, but it is not difficult to see how readily the idea of no annointed after the death of the last apostle and only anointed after the foundation of the modern day FDS. This is not much different than Mormon theology, i.e. all real biblical interpretation depends on the modern mormon movement from Joseph Smith to present.
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We just love this new idea
by Separation of Powers init is probable that if the domestics include the great crowd (other sheep) and the belief is that no fds can be proven to have existed from the death of the last apostle until the reestablished fds in 1918, that most believers from the death of the last apostle or the "dawn" of the 2nd century as the article puts it, will soon be considered other sheep.
the wheat and the weeds articles makes it a point to use a particular expression.
it uses "overgrown" where the parable uses oversown.
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Separation of Powers
It is probable that if the domestics include the great crowd (other sheep) and the belief is that no FDS can be proven to have existed from the death of the last apostle until the reestablished FDS in 1918, that most believers from the death of the last apostle or the "dawn" of the 2nd century as the article puts it, will soon be considered other sheep. The Wheat and the Weeds articles makes it a point to use a particular expression. It uses "overgrown" where the parable uses oversown. It may well have been a purposeful slip. To imply that no collective organization of believers, "anointed", existed for over 2000 years until the establishment of the modern day organization may well be the means by which the number of modern anointed can be justified, afterall, all those believers were still believers, just not heaven bound believers.
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What is your experience when you stop turning in time?
by gingerbread infor the past year or so, i've been turning in just one or two hours of service time.
it has been mentioned to me from an elder "friend" that i'm never seen at any meetings for field service.
i get his implication.
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Separation of Powers
I am noticing a pattern of sorts. Most say that when they stop turning in time, it is hardly even noticed. No call. No text. No drive bys in service. It reminds me of when somebody owes you money, they seem to avoid you at all costs. The expectation that you will call them on the carpet when you see them at a nice restaurant, spending your money on prime rib. It is almost like you are being avoided because you are a constant reminder of how inept and incompetent some "sheperds" are. They loathe to raise the issue because they expect the backlash. That isn't to say that anyone would even lash out about the incompetency or ineptitude. But, the expectation is there and that is enough. It will remain enough until the CO arrives and he asks, "what efforts have you made to assist those who are weak or inactive?" and they say, "we have done all that we can."
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Did you "Pray" for a "blessing" and get one?
by LoisLane looking for Superman inwhat about all the other 1,001 times you prayed for an intervention/blessing, and didn't get it?
did you think you were "bad" or just figure god was too busy to bother with you?.
just lois.
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Separation of Powers
Giordano---AWESOME!!
To the question, I have always wondered why some bloke would say that he was truly blessed when I looked around and saw so many others were not. I mean, when the brother with the Jaguar car and the wife wearing Gabbana says, "We have been so blessed!" I wonder what that single mum is thinking while she scrimps and saves just to have enough for some crackers and tea, maybe some new shoes for the kids, and the chance to go out to eat once in a while. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
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Why Must A God Of Love Destroy The World/NonJWs? Why Doesn't This Cause Cognitive Dissonance?
by frankiespeakin indiscuss.. god is love but yet he hates.. god don't hate bad people he hates bad acts and yet he takes out his hate on people and not the acts.. god loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten son as payment to some mysterious debt collector so the world would live on and then he back tracks on the deal and decides they need extermination after all, except for a worthy few who put faith in the watchtower corporation.. i remember an article by the wt years ago that dealt with the topic why a god of love is going to destroy the world any quotes from it would be helpful..
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Separation of Powers
The reality, Frankiespeaking, is that it does cause cognitive dissonance for any rational person. To love and to hate are polar opposites. They are diametrically distinct. Yet, any Bible reader is left to ponder how a God of love could be so harsh and vindictive as the God of the Old Testament. It is the reason that a Bible reader will say, how is it that God loved Jacob and yet hated Esau?(Romans 9:13) Didn't God know exactly what Esau was going to be when he was born? Wasn't the entire prophecy related to Jacob "usurping" his brother made known to both Isaac and Rebekah? If so, what choice did Esau have in the matter? It was all destiny, right?
This is the quandary that we are presented with in the personage of God. It conflicts with our understanding of love and hate, righteousness and injustice. It is by far one of the most perplexing of the many inconsistencies a Bible reader has to contend with.
When I was in the States recently, I saw a commercial on the tele about a candy. "Sometimes they're sour, sometimes they're sweet." I guess that pretty much sums it up.
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So tired of life
by LouBelle ini am so tired of waking up without hope.
so tired of fighting one more day...i just want it to end as painless as possible.
i truly don't have the willpower or strength anymore..
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Separation of Powers
LouBelle,
It is good to see your post. Hang in there. The outpouring of concern and affection is proof that there are good things in this world worth living for.
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So tired of life
by LouBelle ini am so tired of waking up without hope.
so tired of fighting one more day...i just want it to end as painless as possible.
i truly don't have the willpower or strength anymore..
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Separation of Powers
LouBelle,
It is a rarity that I post here. I am, at times, merely an observer. But, your post moved me to respond. I am glad that Joe Grundy has reached out to you and to the many others that have expressed their concern. It proves that we are all part of a family, a human family where compassion and genuine interest are the measures of our unity. Please remember that there are people who truly care for others, and although we might not have the privilege of face-to-face interaction, we do have the ability to reach out to one another. In all the years I was enveloped in a study of the Bible, there is one scripture that has always given me hope. It is based on a principle found in every middle eastern philosophy, Paul says it best,
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
When I read that scripture, I understand how God comforts us. He doesn't do it miraculously. He does it by means of those who have found comfort in facing their trials. In reading your previous posts and what you have added about yourself, I understand that things have been difficult, but with perserverance, imagine how much your experience will help to comfort one of the young ones who visit this site, one of those who, like you, was baptized at a young age and is in need of comfort and courage. Or that young woman, struggling to make it on their own, dealing with a lousy boss or job they dislike. It is true that everyone might be able to provide something, but only God knows who will provide that special perspective, bourne from trial and tribulation, that will be a comfort to those people. Who knows? Maybe someone feels just like you might at this time right now. And when they see how you have reached out to this group, and see that there are people who truly care, maybe they have found comfort in knowing they are not alone either.
Some of us have never heard this before, so I will remind you, you are a special and unique. You are worthy of love and consideration, praise and honor. You are valuable and appreciated. You are YOU and you are the best YOU I could have ever imagined.
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For those who still believe that Christianity is the only truth
by sosoconfused inplease help me to understand how you address this.. from the creation of adam to the birth of noah was about 900 to 1000 years.
during this period literally only a handful of people worshipped the true god.
then came the flood - at which point there were only 8 faithful people the world over.. .
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Separation of Powers
Sosoconfused, I believe that the answer to your question can only be understood by considering the purpose of the book of Genesis. The book is a recounting of the history of the Jewish people. Every nation, ancient or modern relies on myths and legends upon which to build a foundation of loyalty and purpose. The United States is a good example of this. Think of George Washington and the venerable cherry tree. Did he acutally cut down a cherry tree? Does it matter? The story is used as a foundational element to why George Washington was more noble than all others that could be chose as the first president of the United States. It sets the tone in which the country is conceived.
So, too, the book of Genesis serves to distinguish the Hebrew people as a nation. There are many evidences of this. By far, the most powerful is the expression of Cain who after being cursed by God worries that people will find him and kill him. What people? Well, simply look at where Cain was sent....to the Land of Nod, to the East of Eden, somewhere outside the consecrated land of the Adam, Eve and their family.
If you look at Genesis with the perspective that it serves this purpose, then every story prior to Moses takes on a different connotation, including the flood.
Just my opinion