Posts by Alligator Wisdom

One elder I know shaved his mustache off because the CO said that he was the only elder with one and that it didn't seem he was united with the body of elders in the congregation.

I pity both of them. The reason? Because it has absolutely NOTHING to do with walking in faith toward God. Yet, this procedure was mandated.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

67

Japan closes 638 Congregations!!!!! Why???

by Witness 007 in

japan since the 1970''s has had amazing publisher increases!

every year the number of witnesses shot up by many thousands.

this peaked in 1998, since then the number of witnesses and congregations has continued to drop!.

Alligator Wisdom

Fads are big in Asia - they come and go quite quickly.

Agreed!

As I mentioned in my previous post, the surge in growth in the 80's thru mid-90's was partly due to a trend. The "IN" thing among the youth in Japan at that time was the Bible. Of course the Japanese housewife syndrome also had a role in it. That factor plus their children equates to outstanding growth. But by and large, the youth culture in the JW was intact during that bubble growth period. Teens and young adults ran with the pioneer spirit.

It was the thing to do. It was "IN", not only among JWs, but also from the cultural standpoint. Knowing the Bible and/or having exposure to it kept the JW organization in Japan going full thrust at that time. Remember, with youth there is energy!

That has now since been dying off. The trend of being hip with Bible knowledge is now streaming along on another tangent. And the youth JW of Japan are going wherever the river of fads flows. And it sure isn't flowing toward Ebina Japan where the branch office is located. Yes, the branch office is the mecca for JWs living in Japan.

My reason for knowing. Well, I'm very familiar with Japan and the Japanese culture. Extremely familiar. If I were to relate anymore about it, it certainly will blow by cover as I'm still trying to remain anonymous in the meantime.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

33

OMG! OMG! OMG! My DAD has the Sept KM QB part!! We have been....

by oompa in

e-mailing back and forth for days about the qb, and he only told me today that he had not even noticed anything new or different about this material until i had brought it up.

he says it would be "absurd" to think the fds mean all literature and web sites other than the wt ones are not to be used for anything, but that the context of the article needs to be taken into consideration.

that the context is key.

Alligator Wisdom

I'll be attending.....as usual.

Our PO is scheduled to deliver this part. His is sort of a "rebel" JW. Rebel in the sense that he doesn't enforce WT policy as other typical elders do. He tends to let things slide. He also gets counseled regularly by the CO during his bi-annual visits, so I've heard from the other elders. Nonetheless, he still is a company man.

I'm curious as to how he develops this material.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

30

Will Armageddon Ever Come?

by tula in

jw
friends

three years ago, the buzz was "its just around the corner".. two years ago, it was "almost at the door".. one year ago it was "at the threshold".. now the watchword is "the door of the ark is closing".. could it be that the new "members only" publications will now isolate a small inner core of this group?

what do you think will be the outcome?

what do you foresee for the jw's in one years time?

Alligator Wisdom

We really are all the same but unfortunately when we think we are the only ONE (collectively or individually) that has it right is when we get into trouble, I will continue to make my own statement by trying (and it can be trying) to have love for all mankind as best as I can and take one day at a time. Don't live for Armageddon in the future but live each day as your last, as you never know what tomorrow may bring, but try to live it with LOVE.

Excellent point Sheri.

Whether Armageddon comes in our lifetime or not, there is absolutely no control over it that we can administer to. Should we only live for that day? Then our motive is to save our own hides. If we live each day giving God glory, then the time-table of the BIG-A doesn't have a significant bearing on our lives afterall.

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

67

Japan closes 638 Congregations!!!!! Why???

by Witness 007 in

japan since the 1970''s has had amazing publisher increases!

every year the number of witnesses shot up by many thousands.

this peaked in 1998, since then the number of witnesses and congregations has continued to drop!.

Alligator Wisdom

There was a significant trend in Japan regarding knowing something about the "Bible". It was cool among the younger generation back in the late 80's through the mid-90's. Some studied during high school or college and eventually got baptized. The children of JWs continued to flourish at that time because they were the cutting edge among their unbelieving peers at school since they already knew the concept of the Holy Scriptures called the Bible.

This trend has been dying off now and has been for the last several years, just like any trend. True, now in Japan, there are young folk wearing a cross on a chain around their neck or even have one tatooed somewhere on their body. Perhaps cross earrings. But no interest in Christianity. The cross symbol is now a trend. That too will fade away.

The future of JWs in Japan is definitely bleak!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

162

Blondie needs encouragement

by blondie in

jw
friends

i have been battling an incurable illness and will be able to post less and less.

i will post my email, and any help you cna asend my way will be appreciated.

there is treatment but no cure and no cancer yet.

Alligator Wisdom

Blondie,

When stumbling upon this web-site discussion board years ago, I discovered that you were one who had depth and wisdom along with wit. True to what the other posters are saying, you have been a pillar on this discussion board and a very instrumental part in many of our lives.

You deserve the best. And to say the least, we owe you a lot.

Get better!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

39

DID ADAM AND EVE HAVE A BELLY BUTTON?

by badboy in

jw
friends

if they won't,at what point did human have a belly buton.. what is jw viewpoint on subject?

.

Alligator Wisdom

I can't help it but this now forces this next line of thought:

Will those resurrected after Armageddon have belly buttons?

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

16

LIE in NWT Phil 3:11

by hamsterbait in

nwt has for philippians 3:11.

" [to see] if i may attain to the earlier resurrection from the dead.".

the greek doeas not contain the word "earlier" - nor does any other translation i checked.

Alligator Wisdom

Apparently this is the explanation given by the WTS.

***

it-2p.787Resurrection***

First

resurrection. Revelation 20:5, 6 refers to the resurrection of those who will reign with Christ as "the first resurrection." The apostle Paul speaks of this first resurrection also as "the earlier resurrection from the dead [literally, the out-resurrection the out of dead (ones)]." (Php 3:11, NW,Ro,Int) On the expression Paul uses here, Robertson’s WordPicturesintheNewTestament (1931, Vol. IV, p. 454) says: "Apparently Paul is thinking here only of the resurrection of believers out from the dead and so double ex [out] (tenexanastasinteneknekron). Paul is not denying a general resurrection by this language, but emphasizing that of believers." Charles Ellicott’s Commentaries (1865, Vol. II, p. 87) remarks on Philippians 3:11: "‘The resurrection from the dead;’ i.e., as the context suggests, the first resurrection (Rev. xx. 5), when, at the Lord’s coming the dead in Him shall rise first (1 Thessalon. iv. 16), and the quick be caught up to meet Him in the clouds (1 Thess. iv. 17); compare Luke xx. 35. The first resurrection will include only true believers, and will apparently precede the second, that of non-believers and disbelievers, in point of time . . . Any reference here to a merely ethical resurrection (Cocceius) is wholly out of the question." One of the basic meanings of the word e·xa·na´sta·sis is getting up from bed in the morning; thus it can well represent a resurrection occurring early, otherwise called "the first resurrection." Rotherham’s translation of Philippians 3:11 reads: "If by any means I may advance to the earlier resurrection which is from among the dead."

***

Interesting that the WTS can do outside research and use so-called "worldly" commentators. However, the R&F shouldn't. Honestly, I'm trying to decipher this myself. I don't know what else to add to this topic.

Great find hamsterbait!!

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)

16

New picture on this weeks Bookstudy

by Connaughty in

jw
friends

i'm curious as to why the picture in the new revelation book, on this weeks schedule, seems to be different than the original version.

does anyone know why?

it shows completely two different individuals, but the same background.

Alligator Wisdom

Either they were...

1) DF or DA

2) OR they now entertain the heavenly hope (since the picture is of the great crowd)

Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother NOT Exerting Vigorously)