Posts by apocalypse

19

2002 annual report

by izobcenec in

jw
friends

silentlambs has provided the folowing numbers:.

increase of average publishers:

usa 3% (last year 1%)

apocalypse

The Society doctors the figures. For example, compare the "0%" that they put for Canada last year. The figure should actually, according to their own formula, have been "-1%"

If you take the old divided by the new, and round to the nearest whole number, then Canada was negative 1% last year. However, they favor the upside.

For instance, if the new divided by the old came out to +.51%, then Watchtower would round that number to +1%. But no matter what the downside, they will put zero for Canada.

Ah, but here's the kicker, last year Canada came out to -1.005% and should have been rounded to -1%. BUT THEY FUDGED. They put a big 'ol ZERO. Suggesting it was flat. But if you do the numbers and compare to other countries, you will see the fudge. Lot's of fudge. While the Watchtower is willing to round UP a growth number like Croatia's .99%, ...when it's a decline, it suddenly disappears.

2000 pubs / 2001 pubs = ?

Compare Croatia Canada

2000 ave pubs 5283 107742

2001 ave pubs 5349 107281

Division 0.98766% 1.00489

Rounded to 1% 0% ????

46

Understanding Matthew 24. What does it mean?

by apocalypse in

about matthew 24

have you read this chapter?

all those who have called themselves "christian" have at one time or another read it, and wondered.

apocalypse

Would you be able to share your opinion on the two witnesses of Re11?
(who they are and how long is the period that they give witness)

Now, that's an interesting topic. I really wish I had some insight on it. I have heard different things, but in the end, they all left me with questions.

I think it needs alot more prayer.

Also wondering if you see a parallel between Da12:6 "wonderful things" and Re10:6 " sacred secret"?

This is a big topic. My father and I have wrangled for countless hours on this one. Daniel ch. 12 obviosly is discussing things which have not yet occurred, after "Michael stands up". The way these things were given left Daniel in a tizzy. Anything I could offer would only be speculation and this discussion is better in person over coffie.

You mentioned 'bigger things', were you referring to more important parts of the Bible?

I have been working on helping my family see the "truth" about the "trooth". It has been a long and arduous task. Yet now my wife is reading on this board. She had been a pioneer for 15 years. Was a "Society" girl. But eventually enough information made it to where it counts. She is now a Bible student working on a real faith.

46

Understanding Matthew 24. What does it mean?

by apocalypse in

about matthew 24

have you read this chapter?

all those who have called themselves "christian" have at one time or another read it, and wondered.

apocalypse

"Wars and rumors of wars".

Since Jesus was attempting to warn Jewish Christians that these should not cause them to be "terrified", I would generally discount them altogether.

However, when discussing the book of Daniel, it must be noted that what Daniel wrote about was basically "wars". These conflicts and their outcomes would shape the future.

When discussing Revelation 6, it must be noted that again events that have molded and shaped life on Earth for the past 2000 years are outlined.

At the outset a white horse is mentioned. This rider seems righteous, as he rides a white horse. But woe is in his path. He desires to "complete his conquest." Is he righteous? Look what comes in his wake but "slaughter", inflation, hunger, poverty and disease.

Indeed the effort to 'conquer' the Earth has been devastating to the human race.

As far as parallels, there are some between Matthew and Revelation. I have to spend some more time going over these things as I have left them off for a while. The paper I wrote on Matthew 24 is almost three years old. I haven't done much study in the past while. Had bigger things.

As well, I don't have all the answers. I am only a student.

13

WBTS reply about UN involvement

by Bosho in

okay, firstly appologies for it taking me, like a million years to actually get back to you good people.. i was sent a letter back and guess what... standard reply was issued!.

i don't have a scanner (it blew up ages ago!

) but the main body of the letter was the same as i've seen on other threads here.

apocalypse

When confronted with the UN issue, Watchtower will justify themselves.

Now, I would ask them and or any elder this question, "If they are justified as they want me to believe, then why not publish it, why hide?"

The Watchtower is one of the world's biggest publishing houses. They boast about the number of pieces of literature that they produce. They arrange for FIVE weekly congregational meetings, circuit assemblies and also district.

Through all of that, NOT ONE WORD MENTIONED.

What's there to hide Watchtower? If you are justified then let it come to the light. Why keep it hidden if your hands are clean?

PUBLISH IT! You have done nothing wrong. Put it on one of the many thousands of pages you print.

Evil. That's what you are Watchtower. Just plain evil. Ten years of association, and the supposedly best informed people on Earth hear not one word of it. Evil. Dirt evil!

The Watchtower knows it's guilty as sin, and that's the plain and simple reason they keep this whole conspiracy hidden and hushed up. They know darn well that what they have done is totally unacceptable and the rank & file would revolt outright if it came to their ears.

The judgement in the Bible is clear, in that everyone's judgement will come to them at their own hands an by their own mouth. This incident makes clear that the Watchtower is guilty and they know it. What they printed in 1991 concerning the churches involvment will be their undoing.

The GB should get up in the morning and look their most powerful enemy right in the face, when they look in the mirror.

46

Understanding Matthew 24. What does it mean?

by apocalypse in

about matthew 24

have you read this chapter?

all those who have called themselves "christian" have at one time or another read it, and wondered.

apocalypse

"at risk of being led astray "

Good point. They were 'children' in one sense.

46

Understanding Matthew 24. What does it mean?

by apocalypse in

about matthew 24

have you read this chapter?

all those who have called themselves "christian" have at one time or another read it, and wondered.

apocalypse

I am glad to see that there were some who found in the above something of value. That includes the comments of others.

I wrote, and I am sure no less for others who posted or read, that there are out there individuals who really believe, or at least want to, in our Lord and those with Him.

And for those on that path, belief in and a searching for Christ is by default, a searching for and belief in the One who sent him, our Father.

Hence, I am satisfied today that I have done a little, where a little is all that is really needed.

As to the length, I wrote concerning all the verses that Matthew provided. If our Lord could have convinced our brother Matthew to write less, then in fact I would have also written less.

Or perhaps, if Matthew would have only written more, then less would need to have been said now.

For a fact, I am sure that what Matthew and the others wrote was sufficient, and all of what is written needs to be taken together. If Matthews account "said it all" then there would not have been need for others to pen something also. And in that case, any who read would understand, yet these things are "hidden from the intellectual" and "given to fishermen". It is not through only that which is written that one can one understand, but rather also with the help given from above.

Therefore I put it forward that God intended for there to be room for confusion for it is written that he would not give it to the wise to understand.

So, I am hoping to be a fisherman.

46

Understanding Matthew 24. What does it mean?

by apocalypse in

about matthew 24

have you read this chapter?

all those who have called themselves "christian" have at one time or another read it, and wondered.

apocalypse

GUMBY, thankyou. You helped me make a valuable point.

I am very passionate when it comes to understanding the words of our Lord. I don't like to play games in this area. I wish instead to push and squeeze those who might have interest in this area such that more can be acheived in the way of personal understanding. Much as I push and squeeze myself.

Jesus said that he "came to put a fire in the Earth", and how much better that he had come and to find "that it had already been lit."

I hope only good for you, and all others that come to Bible Research thread. If you come here, then you express at least some level of faith in God's words, or at least a "groping" for God. This I commend.

I too "grope" for understanding of that which is unseen. I have faith and I desire that no man be permitted to take that from me. At the same time I would hope that in my life, at some point, something I would have done or said would stimulate somewhere a better effort to "grope" for the Divine.

I welcome your thoughts here at Bible Research. It was Simon, the one who put this here, who desired any and all to explore even this. I commend him for his fine effort. Though there are some who would disrupt the efforts of others in the way of searching for the Divine being, the door is open and all can voice their thoughts.

Even the wives of posters. :)

Edited by - apocalypse on 2 November 2002 16:28:0

8

Why JWs cannnot see. How the WTS takes advantage.

by apocalypse in

with so much information out there now, it's easy for some to wonder to themselves as to just how it is that it's possible that jws continue to be so blind.

the answer to those ponderings comes from the watchtower itself and is found on page 28 of the current bookstudy book isaiah's prophecy ii.

at the top of the page within pg 23 it says ... .

apocalypse

If you want to help a JW understand that the GB are knowingly lie telling, then read the post below on the "faithful slave" doctrine.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=39450&site=3

46

Understanding Matthew 24. What does it mean?

by apocalypse in

about matthew 24

have you read this chapter?

all those who have called themselves "christian" have at one time or another read it, and wondered.

apocalypse

Accordiong to gumby,

"The reason you have no hits on this thread is it's WAY too long! No one is going to read all that!"

Interesting! I placed the post under the "Bible Research" thread. Perhaps I should have whittled "Bible Research" down to two or three sentences, so the simple folk could understand.

HmmPH.

I didn't place the post under "News" etc. I placed it under "Research". I guess it never occurred to gumby that research is more tha a cursory glance at one sentence. If you can't chew the material gumby, then don't bite! Go read the dictionary gumby. Perhaps you mistook the Bible Research thread for the Spam for those "who want to know" thread.

research

(r -srch " , r " srch " ) n. Abbr. res. 1. Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry. See Synonyms at inquiry. 2. Close, careful study. --attributive.

8

Why JWs cannnot see. How the WTS takes advantage.

by apocalypse in

with so much information out there now, it's easy for some to wonder to themselves as to just how it is that it's possible that jws continue to be so blind.

the answer to those ponderings comes from the watchtower itself and is found on page 28 of the current bookstudy book isaiah's prophecy ii.

at the top of the page within pg 23 it says ... .

apocalypse

With so much information out there now, it's easy for some to wonder to themselves as to just how it is that it's possible that JWs continue to be so blind.

The answer to those ponderings comes from the Watchtower itself and is found on page 28 of the current Bookstudy book Isaiah's Prophecy II.

At the top of the page within pg 23 it says ...

"However, once a false system of belief has been established and widely accepted, it is hard to root it out of the minds of those who believe it. Many contemporary beliefs are as sensless as the belief that lifeless images are really gods. Yet, people cling to such beliefs despite persuasive arguments against them."

So, the watchtower knows all to well jsut how to keep the rank and file ignorantly plodding along in their "senseless" course.

And the WTS feels no shame in knowingly perpetuating "falsehoods". In this week's books study, on page 60 it says ...

"Even Israel's spokesman-her teachers or interpreters of the law- have sinned against Jehovah and taught falsehoods."

They know how to tell a lie, and they have no shame in doing it right out in the open and even taunting God by describing their actions and tactics openly.

Edited by - apocalypse on 2 November 2002 8:44:1