Posts by Faithful Witness

73

Time to take my mask off.

by braincleaned in

after more than two years here on jwn, i will unmask myself and finally close the closet door behind me, fully coming out.. let me be pithy.. my name is vincent deporter.

i'm a writer/artist published a little all over the place.

i started my career in france, about 35 years ago.

Faithful Witness

Thanks for sharing your story. I love seeing people come out alive and well. Love your cartoon style, too!

22

JWs and pessimism

by elisaporquien in

there are people who are pessimistic, optimistic, cynical or whatever.

i've noticed that ever since my sister became a jw she's become very pessimistic about life now (present time).

i love and care about her but her pessimism sometimes brings me down (emotionally).

I have never understood how they know Jesus returned. What is the evidence they use?

by Faithful Witness in

i just finished reading the articles that tell us that the last 100 years of turmoil are supposed to be proof that jesus is on the throne.

i have always been confused about this, especially when i compare it to what the bible says about his return.

matthew 24:27 says, "for just as the lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the presence of the son of man will be.".

Faithful Witness

Matthew 24:42

"Keep on the watch, therefore, because YOU do not know on what day YOUR Lord is coming."

Did he change his mind, and decide to tell Charles T. Russell? Or should I say, did he allow CTR to have the knowledge to calculate the dates, and then correct his interpretations a couple of times before he died?

19

I have never understood how they know Jesus returned. What is the evidence they use?

by Faithful Witness in

i just finished reading the articles that tell us that the last 100 years of turmoil are supposed to be proof that jesus is on the throne.

i have always been confused about this, especially when i compare it to what the bible says about his return.

matthew 24:27 says, "for just as the lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the presence of the son of man will be.".

Faithful Witness

No, really... Didn't Jesus say everyone would know when he came back?

They came up with a way to calculate the date, which is exactly what Jesus said not to do.

What is the sign of his actual presence? Havoc in the world? Is that it? Because I think we have had troubles for centuries before 1914, also...

What am I missing? (I'm not trying to be a smart aleck. I really don't understand this!)

22

JWs and pessimism

by elisaporquien in

there are people who are pessimistic, optimistic, cynical or whatever.

i've noticed that ever since my sister became a jw she's become very pessimistic about life now (present time).

i love and care about her but her pessimism sometimes brings me down (emotionally).

Faithful Witness

I agree with your observations. Every time I run into a JW I know from the KH we used to attend, they complain about something in their lives, and then talk about how they can't wait for this system to end. I usually just listen and let them vent. They don't have any other release, and we all know that they get no sympathy from the brothers and sisters.

I have decided to make it a point to BE a friend, anytime I see my old JW acquaintances. They are told how much we hate them and want to persecute and kill them. Worldly people have no understanding of how much JWs are suffering in these last days. Poor us! Woe! Despair! The end is near! Pangs of distress are upon us! We must be united in theocratic serve-us!

Off their rockers. They aren't allowed to pursue any hobbies, or let off steam in any way, aside from MORE serve-us work... There is no peace for them.

19

I have never understood how they know Jesus returned. What is the evidence they use?

by Faithful Witness in

i just finished reading the articles that tell us that the last 100 years of turmoil are supposed to be proof that jesus is on the throne.

i have always been confused about this, especially when i compare it to what the bible says about his return.

matthew 24:27 says, "for just as the lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the presence of the son of man will be.".

Faithful Witness

I just finished reading the articles that tell us that the last 100 years of turmoil are supposed to be proof that Jesus is on the throne.

I have always been confused about this, especially when I compare it to what the bible says about his return.

Matthew 24:27 says, "For just as the lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the presence of the Son of man will be."

This is immediately following the statement at Matthew 24:24, where Jesus says, "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25 Look! I have forewarned YOU. 26 Therefore, if people say to YOU, 'Look! He is in the wilderness, do not go out; Look! He is in the inner chambers, do not believe it.' "

Isn't this second part, exactly what they are doing, when they say Jesus is on the throne for the last 100 years? Claiming his invisible return?

I'm usually a pretty good student. I'm not sure if our teacher left something out, or if it just wasn't there... Can anyone here explain to me how they actually know that Jesus returned in 1914? Surely, they have more than the outbreak of WWI to back up that claim.

It seems like they are using the 1914 return of Christ, as a foundation for most of their beliefs about themselves. I am missing something, and I don't know what it is. Can anyone clarify this for me?

17

Let's make a list of the families ruined by the Watchtower

by Faithful Witness in

the jehovah's witnesses came to our door, claiming to hold the secrets of family happiness.

they told me they had the "one true religion," and had come to save my life.

i was a bible student for quite awhile, along with my husband.

Faithful Witness

Blondie, that is a good point. I should have worded that differently. Thanks for clarifying the situation.

Aude & Smiddy, thanks for posting that link. So many families have been affected.

120

In general, the people on this forum have a poor outlook spiritually speaking.

by Stand for Pure Worship in

jw
friends

so i waz reading the august 15 wt study article, elisha saw fiery chariots, do you?

and it made me think about this forum.

if you remember, syria was hunting god's prophet, elisha.

Faithful Witness

SFPW: I love your posts. I really hope you don't let these lost souls discourage your efforts to stand for pure worship.

I look forward to reading what you imaginate for us next. I am curious also, to know your age... you are clearly a well-trained speaker.

6

WT study article Jan 2014

by molybdenum in

serving jehovah before the days of distress comequote: para 4. if you have acquired decades of experience as an adult, you have a key question to ask yourself, what will i do with my life now while i still have some energy and strength?.

quote: para 6.

"if you are an experienced christian, you have great potential.

Faithful Witness

Very good points. When we visited the KH for the 2nd WT in September's "new light" issue, there were some interesting comments from a couple of elderly ladies. One said, "We've been taught these dates our whole lives... What are we to do now? I guess the choice is to believe it, or to just fade away..."

I was sitting there, remembering the 75-yr old woman who had taught me the lesson about 1914, so many years ago. She drew a complicated diagram, and she had clearly been reviewing this many times. I never quite understood it or believed it at the time, and thankfully never had to explain it to anyone else. How must they feel now? So sad, the way the JW's treat the grey-headed ones.

And now... "Hey! You can still walk! Get out there and place more magazines! Come on, you geezers... Stop feeling sorry for yourselves. Surely, you have much more to give. We will squeeze every last ounce of life out of you, yet!" Horrible, horrible... is this love?

17

Let's make a list of the families ruined by the Watchtower

by Faithful Witness in

the jehovah's witnesses came to our door, claiming to hold the secrets of family happiness.

they told me they had the "one true religion," and had come to save my life.

i was a bible student for quite awhile, along with my husband.

Faithful Witness

Thanks for your comments. I am not trying to cause anyone pain, or to wallow in a group of self-pitifulness... to the contrary.

There is power in numbers, and I was sort of thinking that someone who just passes by or lurks on this message board, might take notice of the title of this thread and make the realization that they are not alone. I know many here do not comment. I've noticed some people make their first post, after being members for years... I like reading the life stories and successes that people post, and it's neat to have a bunch together like this.

Problemaddict, you make a good point. Thanks. I do have a joyous life, and am so glad to have the freedom to think for myself, and that my husband and I can make our own decisions about what is right for our children. I am also glad that we chose not to force them into this legalistic and work-based religious sect. I especially appreciate my Saturday morning family time at home!