Posts by zev

33

New England Apostafest

by beckyboop in

last year on memorial day a group of about 14 east coast ex-jw's met together in providence ri.

i had the pleasure of being able to have most of them back to our apartment for dessert, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting local people with a similar background.

i was able to meet zev, somebody, red horse woman, scumrat, sister act, doc bob & his wife, as well as others whom i can't remember their online names.. this year, i would like to get another group together on memorial day again, and hopefully we'll get even more of a response this year.

zev

add 2 to the list.

i'll confirm via email.

3

Where is ZEV?

by RAYZORBLADE in

jw
friends

zev....dude, i hardly know you.

but...i haven't seen hide nor tail of you on the forum in a little while.

he's made some pretty significant posts and contributions to this forum, and by golly.....i can even tell when he's not around.

zev

where am i?

why.....right here

i've been very busy. sometimes, i just don't read much here and i go do my "geek thang". i enjoy tinkering with computers and stuff, so thats what i do. i get the urge sometimes to make posts and i do .

i'm not leaving, i just find the need to take a break and do so without fanfare. gwen noticed this post this moring and told me about it.

i'm on vacation this week. and we are enjoying spending our time together. and today is a special day for us.

on march 25 1998 was the day she sent me the email that put us in touch with each other after 18 years.

so happy aniversary to us

i'll be around, no worries

34

Have You Ever Written A Letter To the Society?

by minimus in

jw
friends

when i was a kid, i remember my family regularly visiting other friends, including a brother that was the bible study servant.

every week, he would send a different letter to the society on a variety of subjects.

when our families would meet, he would ask us the question and we would do research or give our opinion on what we thought the society's answer was going to be.

zev

minimus queried:

Have You Ever Written A Letter To the Society?

Harold answers affirmatively

http://www.geocities.com/plowbitch69/myletter.html

11

The Watchtower is horse poop

by zev in

km 5/82 pp.

effectively

using the symbolic horses

zev

*** km 5/82 pp. 1-8 Effectively Using the Symbolic “ Horses ” ***

Effectively Using the Symbolic “ Horses ”

1 “The heads of the horses were as heads of lions, and out of their mouths fire and smoke and sulphur issued forth . . . the authority of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with these they do harm.” (Rev. 9:17, 19) Have you seen such horses ? Have you worked with them? Yes you have, if you have helped publicize Jehovah’s judgment message against false religion, the most reprehensible part of Satan’s visible system.

2 These symbolic horses of Revelation chapter 9 represent the hundreds of millions of printed publications distributed by Jehovah’s Witnesses during these last days under the direction of the anointed remnant. On pages 246 and 247, the book “Then Is Finished the Mystery of God” states: “The charging of these symbolic ‘ horses ’ increased greatly when the Watch Tower’s magazines began to be offered on the streets, from house to house, from store to store.” During this one month of May 1982, more than 35 million of these symbolic horses , copies of The Watchtower and Awake!, will roll off the Society’s presses around the world. Will you help distribute them?

WHAT THE “ HORSES ” ACCOMPLISH

3 This is the 44th consecutive year that the Society has emphasized the importance of having people subscribe to The Watchtower. Why? So the horses can do their work! Two great things are accomplished by these unusual ‘steeds.’ One is that deadly plagues result from the fire, smoke and sulphur issuing from their mouths. In God’s Word, horses symbolize war; so we must effectively use these provisions in our spiritual warfare. This takes courage, but we can muster that courage from the “ horses ” themselves as this is what is represented by their having “heads of lions.” The plague is on Christendom and all enemies of God’s Messianic kingdom. Let us all be zealously involved in this spiritual warfare in May by offering subscriptions to The Watchtower.

4 Secondly, there are those whose heart is in full agreement with what the fearsome “ horses ” are accomplishing. The lion also pictures justice, and many sheeplike ones see the justice of the strong judgment messages printed in The Watchtower. Such ones need to receive it on a regular basis by subscribing. In time, it can also make them courageous enough to take their stand on the side of “the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah,” Jesus Christ. (Rev. 5:5) The Watchtower has helped you to do so. Is that not so? You are therefore in a fine position to recommend it to others.

BE SKILLFUL IN WARFARE

5 You can appreciate that it would take skill to ride a spirited war steed such as the “ horses ” described in Revelation chapter 9. What does that symbolic language mean to us during this Watchtower subscription campaign? It means being thoroughly familiar with the contents of the magazines we offer and having given some advance thought to how best to present them. By so doing we can acquire skill in placing the magazines and obtaining subscriptions. We can become skillful in reaching the heart and motivating people to investigate the truth.

6 The information appearing in the May 1 and May 15 issues of The Watchtower is striking and designed to accomplish the two things mentioned above. Information in the series of articles on God’s kingdom in the May 1 issue and then some of the powerful information presented at last year’s “Kingdom Loyalty” District Conventions appearing in the May 15 issue is like fire, smoke and sulphur to Satan’s system. Those with an honest heart cannot help but recognize it as the truth. As you read such articles as “The Signs of the Times—What Do They Mean to You?” “The Critical Hour Nears!” and “How You Must Act!” why not take note of field points that would help you to be effective in offering the subscription during May?

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

7 Some have held back from offering subscriptions to The Watchtower and Awake! because of the increased subscription rate. Should we feel that way? Well, look at it this way, when the subscription was offered for one dollar per year that represented about one-tenth of the subscription rate of popular magazines. The present subscription rate of $3.50 per year reflects about the same ratio. But when you contrast the value of the life-saving message of our journals with the hopeless panorama of world conditions depicted in others, the subscription rate becomes insignificant.

8 “The authority of the horses is in their mouths,” Revelation says. Will you let the courageous, lion-like mouths of the symbolic horses speak during May by your having an active part in offering subscriptions and individual magazines? Although magazine placements increased during the past year, they are still considerably lower than they were a few years ago. As skilled warriors we never want to say ‘retreat.’ Rather, let the symbolic horses charge into the fight, confident that the prophetic words of Revelation 9 will be fulfilled. Let us all effectively use The Watchtower and Awake! during May!

42

We're Coming After You, Watchtower

by Farkel in

for decades the watchtower corruption and lying corporation (hereinafter

referred to as "the cult(tm)" has successfully prevailed in court over their destruction of lives and families due to their disgusting and perverted disfellowshipping policies.

what they've done in effect is to argue that their first amendment rights must prevail, so they can then turn around and use that right to deprive all of their members of that very same right and liberty that comes with that right.

zev

no problem

42

We're Coming After You, Watchtower

by Farkel in

for decades the watchtower corruption and lying corporation (hereinafter

referred to as "the cult(tm)" has successfully prevailed in court over their destruction of lives and families due to their disgusting and perverted disfellowshipping policies.

what they've done in effect is to argue that their first amendment rights must prevail, so they can then turn around and use that right to deprive all of their members of that very same right and liberty that comes with that right.

zev

farkel, your very welcome. glad it can be of some help.

42

We're Coming After You, Watchtower

by Farkel in

for decades the watchtower corruption and lying corporation (hereinafter

referred to as "the cult(tm)" has successfully prevailed in court over their destruction of lives and families due to their disgusting and perverted disfellowshipping policies.

what they've done in effect is to argue that their first amendment rights must prevail, so they can then turn around and use that right to deprive all of their members of that very same right and liberty that comes with that right.

zev

farkel,

thank you for providing us with this information. it is really horrible what jw's will do to their children in divorce. using them like this is terrible. divorce is hard enough on children. jw's take it further in "theocratic warfare" and use their children as "soliders" in the "fight". what the watchtower has done to familys, people and children is horrendous.

to this person who asked:

Anyone have a scan of the August 2002 KM that says ALL non witness family members should be shunned?

you may see the scan in a link on this page:

http://hometown.aol.com/haroldev3

Gwen and I went to the meetings this article was discussed in and captured the audio from it and posted on the site.

Farkel, you may find the audio useful in this case, because you really catch the essence of not whats written, but whats "said". How they ensnare their followers not always with written "laws" but spoken ones. maybe this can be used in the case if the WBTS try to LIE in court and deny that they teach not even to as much as speak a greeting to any disfellowshipped or disassociated family members or relatives unless absoulutely neccessary so as not to become "a sharer in their wicked deeds". The examples of when it may be "neccessary" to speak a greeting to df'd or da'd relatives is the death of a relative, or the reading of a will after the death of the relative. If this will be of any help in the woman's case against this woman's suit against the WBTS to protect her children, please pass it onto her if you have contact with her.

harold and gwen

11

JWs & the united Nations

by sandy in

can anyone tell me how to find the information proving that the jws have dealings with the un and that they are in fact members.

i went on the un main website but i could not find anything.

i tried their search engine and nothing came up.. please help!.

zev

www.geocities.com/plowbitch69

18

Theocratically Appointed "servants"

by zev in

jw
friends

well i got me a copy of the new wt 2001 cd rom, and started looking at it and learning how to use it.. this was the very first thing i stumbled across, which was a thing that always bothered me.

those of you who saw me and watched my phases as i left will remember that this topic was a major issue for me.. .

here is the article, in part:.

zev

well i got me a copy of the new wt 2001 cd rom, and started looking at it and learning how to use it.

this was the very first thing i stumbled across, which was a thing that always bothered me. those of you who saw me and watched my phases as i left will remember that this topic was a major issue for me.

here is the article, in part:

*** w01 1/15 p. 12 Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed ***

Theocratic—Not Democratic—Appointment

5 Mature oversight by qualified overseers and the able assistance of ministerial servants are required to care for the spiritual needs of the growing number of active ministers. (Philippians 1:1) How are such spiritual men appointed? Not by methods like those employed in Christendom. For instance, Christian overseers are not elected democratically, that is, by receiving the votes of the majority of the people associated with a congregation . Instead, these appointments are made theocratically. What does that mean?

6 Simply stated, a true theocracy is rule by God. Witnesses of Jehovah voluntarily submit to his rulership and cooperate together in order to do the divine will. (Psalm 143:10; Matthew 6:9, 10 ) Appointments of Christian overseers, or elders, and ministerial servants are theocratic because the process of recommending and appointing such responsible men is carried out according to God’s arrangement as set out in the Holy Scriptures. And as the “head over all,” Jehovah of course has the right to determine how his visible organization will operate .—1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 97:9.

7 In contrast with many religious groups in Christendom, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not decide for themselves the form of spiritual government under which they operate. These sincere Christians endeavor to stick to Jehovah’s standards. Overseers among them are not put into office by some congregational, hierarchical, or presbyterian form of church government. If elements of the world seek to interfere with these appointments, Jehovah’s people refuse to compromise. Steadfastly, they maintain the position so well expressed by the apostles in the first century when they said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) Thus, the Witnesses subject themselves to God in all things. (Hebrews 12:9; James 4:7) Following theocratic procedure brings divine approval.

8 As servants of the Great Theocrat, Jehovah, we do well to bear in mind the differences between democratic and theocratic procedures. Democratic processes call for equal representation and are often characterized by campaigning for office and election by majority vote. Such procedures are not involved in theocratic appointments. These do not come from men; nor do they proceed from some legal entity. Apparently alluding to his own appointment by Jesus and Jehovah as “an apostle to the nations,” Paul told the Galatians that he had been appointed “neither from men nor through a man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him up from the dead.”—Romans 11:13; Galatians 1:1.

Appointed by Holy Spirit

9 Paul reminded overseers living in Ephesus that they had been appointed by God through holy spirit. He said: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.” (Acts 20:28) Those Christian overseers needed to continue to be led by holy spirit as they carried out their duties as shepherds of the flock of God. If a man who occupied an appointed office no longer met the divine standard, in time holy spirit would operate to remove him from his position.

10 How is it that the holy spirit plays a pivotal role? First of all, the record that sets out requirements for spiritual oversight was inspired by holy spirit. In his letters to Timothy and Titus, Paul outlined the standards to be met by overseers and ministerial servants. Altogether, he mentioned some 16 different requirements. For instance, overseers were to be irreprehensible, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach, and exemplary as family heads. They were to be balanced in the use of alcoholic beverages, were not to be lovers of money, and were to exercise self-control. Similarly, high standards were set for men reaching out for appointment as ministerial servants.—1 Timothy 3:1-10, 12, 13; Titus 1:5-9.

11 A review of these qualifications shows that those who take the lead in Jehovah’s worship must be exemplary in Christian conduct. Men who reach out for congregational responsibility must give evidence that holy spirit is operating on them. (2 Timothy 1:14) It must be evident that God’s spirit is producing in these men the fruitage of “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22, 23) Such fruitage would be manifested in their dealings with fellow believers and others. Of course, some may excel in displaying certain fruits of the spirit, while others may meet other qualifications for overseers to a superior degree. In their overall pattern of life, however, all who hope to be appointed as overseers or ministerial servants should demonstrate that they are spiritual men, measuring up to the requirements of God’s Word.

12 When Paul exhorted others to become imitators of him, he could do so with freeness of speech because he himself was imitating Jesus Christ, who ‘left us a model for us to follow his steps closely.’ (1 Peter 2:21; 1 Corinthians 11:1) Those meeting the Scriptural requirements at the time of their appointment as overseers or ministerial servants may thus be said to have been appointed by holy spirit.

13 There is another factor that indicates how the holy spirit operates in the recommendation and appointment of overseers. Jesus said that ‘the Father in heaven gives holy spirit to those asking him.’ (Luke 11:13) So when the elders in the local congregation meet to recommend men for congregational responsibility, they pray for God’s spirit to guide them. They base their recommendations on what is stated in God’s inspired Word, and holy spirit enables them to discern whether an individual being considered for appointment meets the Scriptural requirements. Those making the recommendations are not to be unduly influenced by outward appearance, educational attainments, or natural abilities. Their primary focus must be on whether the person is a spiritual man, one whom members of the congregation would not hesitate to approach for spiritual counsel.

14 While bodies of elders share with traveling overseers in recommending brothers to serve as elders and ministerial servants, the actual appointments are made according to the pattern set in the first century. On one occasion, a need arose for spiritually qualified men to care for an important assignment. The governing body gave the following direction: “Search out for yourselves seven certified men from among you, full of spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them over this necessary business.” (Acts 6:1-3) While men on the scene made the recommendations, the appointments were made by responsible men there in Jerusalem. A similar pattern is followed today.

15 The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses directly appoints all members of Branch Committees. When deciding who can assume such a weighty responsibility, the Governing Body has in mind Jesus’ statement : “Everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him. ” (Luke 12:48) In addition to appointing Branch Committee members, the Governing Body appoints Bethel elders and traveling overseers. However, they do commission responsible brothers to act for them in making certain other appointments. There is Scriptural precedent also for this.

‘Make Appointments, as I Gave You Orders’

16 Paul told his coworker Titus: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might correct the things that were defective and might make appointments of older men in city after city, as I gave you orders.” (Titus 1:5) Paul then outlined the qualifications that Titus was to look for in men who would qualify for such appointments. Today, therefore, the Governing Body appoints qualified brothers at the branches to represent it in making appointments of elders and ministerial servants. Care is taken that those acting representatively on behalf of the Governing Body clearly understand and follow the Scriptural guidelines for making such appointments. Hence, it is under the direction of the Governing Body that qualified men are appointed to serve in the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.

17 When recommendations for appointment of overseers and ministerial servants are submitted to a branch office of the Watch Tower Society, experienced men rely on God’s spirit for guidance in making the appointments. These men feel a sense of accountability, realizing that they must not lay their hands hastily upon any man, lest they share in his sins.—1 Timothy 5:22.

18 Certain appointments may be transmitted by a letter bearing an official stamp from a legal entity. Such a letter may be used to appoint more than one brother in the congregation.

19 Theocratic appointments come from Jehovah through his Son and God’s visible earthly channel, “the faithful and discreet slave” and its Governing Body. (Matthew 24:45-47) The whole process of such recommendation and appointment is directed, or guided, by holy spirit. This is the case because the qualifications are set out in God’s Word, which is inspired by holy spirit, and the individual appointed gives evidence of producing the fruitage of that spirit. Therefore, the appointments are to be viewed as being made by holy spirit. Just as overseers and ministerial servants were appointed theocratically in the first century, the same is true today.

have you any thoughts to share?

29

Maybe they are starting to get it!!

by Mulan in

my jw friend told me there was a part on the service meeting last night, about calling on inactive ones.

we knew that was in the km.

she said the po gave it as a talk, and said there were 15 inactive ones in their territory (we are 2 of them), and that elders had been assigned to call on all of them to encourage them.. but..................he said all those in the congregation can and should call on inactive ones regularly, and truly encourage them.

zev

blondie...

what you quoted is shocking. thats terrible. it just isn't right. sometimes you just HAVE to go looking for lost sheep. they are to hurt, or embarrased to ask for help.

dang.