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Srecko Sostar

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  1. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Pudgy in Interesting thought about the initial rebellion   
    6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.”
    According to this report in Genesis, situation described speaks differently. After, in NT, we see other sort of feelings and emotions for human.
    Do not forget how female was created in the image of God. So yes, perhaps it is not far away from your observation that sometimes God (has right to) react as "overemotional female" and Genesis 6:6,7 is exactly what was happened . :))
    If He want to destroy fallen angels who materialized and their offspring of giants who made evil things, what was so difficult for Him to be selective in punishment? JW people have expectation how that will happen in Armageddon - selective destruction. And Noah Days are used as example of why and how God will act in Armageddon, but without water (flood). 
    Initial rebellion started with "snake" aka devil. Continue with First People. At what stage were the other angels while this was happening, there is no record of it. It is not until Noah's day that angels who longed for earthly pleasures are described. Their action does not say that they rebelled against God in the way that the devil did. Their motives were different. They did not say that God was lying, as the serpent said. They did not promise anyone that they would be like gods. They didn't say how people will not dye if act independently from God. Their rebellion had different reasons. 
    Perhaps what they saw happening in Eden and how satan goes unpunished for his insolence was an additional motive for them to indulge in illicit behavior as well. In fact, when the Bible says that evil multiplies because transgressors are not punished immediately, and that they therefore continue to do evil, then there is a great responsibility on God Himself who failed to punish the guilty who can be punished by none other than Him. For, it was not just about human hearts boiling to do evil, but about the hearts of angels. When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong - Eccl 8
  2. Downvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Dmitar in Interesting thought about the initial rebellion   
    JHVH was surprised in several situations. In Eden, after Adam and Eve disappointed Him so much. After, Genesis said: And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. A person who knows what to expect from others would not be in such a difficult emotional state, so that like God, he begins to destroy everything he has created, nature, animals and people.
    WTJWorg try to explain all God's actions with "love". If he destroy wicked people that is because of love. If he not want to destroy wicked people that is because of love, again. If he allow injustice and suffer, that is because of love. If he destroy devil that is because because of love and because of "universal issue". Well, it seems how "universal issue" is also responsible for God's passivity in time before Eden and in Eden. Because, devil rebellion not started in Eden, for sure. 
    According to the WTJWorg interpretation, nowhere in the universe is there life except on Earth and around a God surrounded by angels. Thus, life is concentrated, according to GB, in only two "locations". This very knowledge limits the very thesis of the "universal issue," and gives the possibility that God did not have such a great need to delay the punishment of transgressors of his law. After all, he punished Adam and Eve with death. What prevented him from treating the rebellious angels in the same way? A different law? A different attitude towards angels compared to people?
    Are angels just as intellectually limited as humans, so that God should have given them time to prove that the devil was wrong? They see God every day, so they don’t need faith like people do, to believe in an invisible God and what happened in history. People is expected to believe in events that happened before their lives or even in their life time.
     How to understand the absurd fact that God "implanted" in animals the "fear of man" (generally speaking), but no mosquito is afraid of any man, but persistently wants to drink his blood?
    Likewise, it is difficult to understand that there is a need for imperfect humans and perfect angels to contribute to the "universal issue", the answer to which has long been known to God. For, every human being does not have the ability to experientially observe the past to which he has not witnessed. And therefore he does not know who said and did what and why. So, he cannot give an answer for another, but only for himself. We cannot answer the question of whether God has the right to rule or not. We only give our "verbal" consent to the authority of one or the other. And that, too, is only of symbolic significance, because our consent to the opposite side will not cause God to cease to rule. Well, it is not democracy and the election of a new president for the next term. If all people agreed to be on the devil’s side, do you really think God would give up his position?
    And the question/issue of "love"? It is something that has nothing to do with the "universal issue".
  3. Downvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Dmitar in Interesting thought about the initial rebellion   
    6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.”
    According to this report in Genesis, situation described speaks differently. After, in NT, we see other sort of feelings and emotions for human.
    Do not forget how female was created in the image of God. So yes, perhaps it is not far away from your observation that sometimes God (has right to) react as "overemotional female" and Genesis 6:6,7 is exactly what was happened . :))
    If He want to destroy fallen angels who materialized and their offspring of giants who made evil things, what was so difficult for Him to be selective in punishment? JW people have expectation how that will happen in Armageddon - selective destruction. And Noah Days are used as example of why and how God will act in Armageddon, but without water (flood). 
    Initial rebellion started with "snake" aka devil. Continue with First People. At what stage were the other angels while this was happening, there is no record of it. It is not until Noah's day that angels who longed for earthly pleasures are described. Their action does not say that they rebelled against God in the way that the devil did. Their motives were different. They did not say that God was lying, as the serpent said. They did not promise anyone that they would be like gods. They didn't say how people will not dye if act independently from God. Their rebellion had different reasons. 
    Perhaps what they saw happening in Eden and how satan goes unpunished for his insolence was an additional motive for them to indulge in illicit behavior as well. In fact, when the Bible says that evil multiplies because transgressors are not punished immediately, and that they therefore continue to do evil, then there is a great responsibility on God Himself who failed to punish the guilty who can be punished by none other than Him. For, it was not just about human hearts boiling to do evil, but about the hearts of angels. When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong - Eccl 8
  4. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Pudgy in Interesting thought about the initial rebellion   
    JHVH was surprised in several situations. In Eden, after Adam and Eve disappointed Him so much. After, Genesis said: And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. A person who knows what to expect from others would not be in such a difficult emotional state, so that like God, he begins to destroy everything he has created, nature, animals and people.
    WTJWorg try to explain all God's actions with "love". If he destroy wicked people that is because of love. If he not want to destroy wicked people that is because of love, again. If he allow injustice and suffer, that is because of love. If he destroy devil that is because because of love and because of "universal issue". Well, it seems how "universal issue" is also responsible for God's passivity in time before Eden and in Eden. Because, devil rebellion not started in Eden, for sure. 
    According to the WTJWorg interpretation, nowhere in the universe is there life except on Earth and around a God surrounded by angels. Thus, life is concentrated, according to GB, in only two "locations". This very knowledge limits the very thesis of the "universal issue," and gives the possibility that God did not have such a great need to delay the punishment of transgressors of his law. After all, he punished Adam and Eve with death. What prevented him from treating the rebellious angels in the same way? A different law? A different attitude towards angels compared to people?
    Are angels just as intellectually limited as humans, so that God should have given them time to prove that the devil was wrong? They see God every day, so they don’t need faith like people do, to believe in an invisible God and what happened in history. People is expected to believe in events that happened before their lives or even in their life time.
     How to understand the absurd fact that God "implanted" in animals the "fear of man" (generally speaking), but no mosquito is afraid of any man, but persistently wants to drink his blood?
    Likewise, it is difficult to understand that there is a need for imperfect humans and perfect angels to contribute to the "universal issue", the answer to which has long been known to God. For, every human being does not have the ability to experientially observe the past to which he has not witnessed. And therefore he does not know who said and did what and why. So, he cannot give an answer for another, but only for himself. We cannot answer the question of whether God has the right to rule or not. We only give our "verbal" consent to the authority of one or the other. And that, too, is only of symbolic significance, because our consent to the opposite side will not cause God to cease to rule. Well, it is not democracy and the election of a new president for the next term. If all people agreed to be on the devil’s side, do you really think God would give up his position?
    And the question/issue of "love"? It is something that has nothing to do with the "universal issue".
  5. Like
  6. Thanks
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Interesting thought about the initial rebellion   
    Humans know different types of 'love' but I don't think humans understand love from God's perspective.
    God's ways are far higher than human ways.
    And this also, we can only see from a human perspective.  Arauna replied to me once that 'humans are important', but I think not in comparison to the Universal issue.  
    It would seem that millions of humans will die at the Judgement time, and it will be a necessary 'operation'.  A bit like clearing a building site before building a nice new house. Many humans cannot handle thinking about it, they see it as hateful / cruel.. And in reality I think many JWs try not to think about it. But, God will do what God will do to solve the Universal issue. 
  7. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Pudgy in Interesting thought about the initial rebellion   
    Wrong again.
    The Physical Universe was designed to be self-sustaining.
    ...to run without a need for maintenance.
    All evidence points to this, in thousands of integrated facts usually described as Quantum Physics, and only agenda driven theologic fantasy suggests otherwise.
    It is theologic fantasy BECAUSE it contradicts all known facts that are real, with "facts" that are merely wishful religious fantasy, with no proof whatsoever.
  8. Downvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Dmitar in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    This verse is also useful to show how funny, how ridiculous it sounds when JW literature talks about “cleansing within an organization” in some specific time periods that were a turning point for the WTJWorg Administration.
  9. Downvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Dmitar in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!  Job 14:4
    What experience does God have with an organized form of religion? For centuries, the Israeli congregation struggled in conditions that eventually ended with two destructions of the Temple, prophesied by God, and perhaps, to put it this way, caused by God. Further, The First Christian Assembly was diluted into various denominations of Christianity. Also, the current WTJWorg organization, which is claimed to be the only true successor to the First Christian Assembly, is grappling with doctrinal and instructional-organizational lies and errors.
    I would say this way: God does not fix what is wrong, but always seeks a new solution to every new problem.
  10. Downvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Dmitar in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    Another prophecy/chronology/dateology from JW members? I guess you have some date in mind when that "final" message will be delivered to people.
  11. Downvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Dmitar in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    On contrary, JW publications claims how all other religious web pages outside of WTJWorg and many other secular pages that not supports WTJWorg teachings are apostates and/or enemies of ..., but in same time producing and multiplying own apostasy on various issues. 
    Example of apostasy is visible in this: 
    In WTJWorg preaching, several Endings of Last Days have been coming during these 140 years. Such teachings are in fact apostasy for several reasons. One of striking piece of evidence is that their announcements were never fulfilled. 
  12. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    How is it cowardly?   Are you a prophet?  Can you verify this, if you are?  Have you had a vision?  Num 12:6
    Or, are you conjuring up a date just as your “fathers” have, out of the personal motives of your heart? 
    "How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?"  Jer 23:26
     Since you uphold false prophets, we can easily assume that you are one also. (Matt 7:28) According to the word of God, there is no need to listen to your prediction.  (Jer 23:16)
     
  13. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in DEFINING APOSTASY   
    If we repeat a lie that we were taught, we also are lying – we are a liar.  Many who left the organization have apologized to their past Bible students for teaching them a lie.  Many are repentant for the lying doctrines they once taught.  The GB may change doctrines that appear as loving adjustments, but are they repentant for telling a previous lie?  Consider the message of 1975, and the encouragement given to the flock for anticipating its arrival.  Once this date had passed, who was to blame for placing their hope in a date contrived by the leadership?  Was dumping the blame on the flock an act of love?  The leaders are well aware of what the scriptures say about setting dates and timetables, but they arrogantly pushed ahead and followed the desires of their hearts.
    I recall the song, "make the truth your own".  When a JW is admonished to accept a doctrine as truth, and to teach that doctrine which later is revealed to be a lie, it was a deliberate action by the JW to make that supposed "truth" their own. The "loved" the lie.  (2 Thess 2:9-12)   The lies spoken by the leaders, are through deception, yet those whom they teach still repeat and speak the lie.  (Prov 12:22)  Someone can believe the world is flat and teach it as truth.  They may convince themselves that are right and anyone who believes the world is round, is the liar.  A scientist can provide all the evidence to show them up as a liar, but their heart is set on the lie.  We have God's Word to guide us on how not to lie, not to teach falsehoods. After 100+ years, the organization's leaders, have yet to learn this; whereas the apostles learned it immediately.

    "Everyone has to be on guard against his friend.
    Don’t trust any brother,
    for every brother will certainly deceive,
    and every friend spread slander.
    5 Each one betrays his friend;
    no one tells the truth.
    They have taught their tongues to speak lies;
    they wear themselves out doing wrong.
    6 You live in a world of deception.
    In their deception they refuse to know me.
    This is the Lord’s declaration."  Jer 9:4-6
    "A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart."  Luke 6:45
     
     
  14. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in DEFINING APOSTASY   
    I have never heard anyone else on this forum use the word "hate" as much as you do.  Did Jesus hate his people when he exposed their sins?  No, the hate came from those who didn't listen to him.
     
  15. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in DEFINING APOSTASY   
    When I read your comments Tom I can understand why it is a waste of time and effort talking to people such as you.
    The scripture is right. "Do not cast your pearls before swine". 
    It's not so much that @Witness is right all the time, but you certainly act like a childish swine in reply.
    As for women prophesying   Acts 2 : 17
    Berean Study Bible
    ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
    But you don't seem to believe what God says do you Tom ? You seem to rely on the words of your GB
  16. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in DEFINING APOSTASY   
    Are you saying, it is self-aggrandizing when someone else other than JWs send out letters?
  17. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in DEFINING APOSTASY   
    This letter was written by an anointed sister (“Rachel”) in Christ. It is presently being mailed to branch offices and kingdom halls around the world.  This is not the first of its kind Rachel has written, reaching JW leaders over the months. (Zech 4:6)  It is very possible that any JW leader who has passed by here, may have already received one.   
    The Hebrew and Greek scriptures give us a complete blueprint for identifying apostasy. In the Greek scriptures, “apostasia,” translated “apostasy” (2 Thess.2:3) means a rebellion, a falling away, a defection from truth – “Jesus said to him [Thomas]: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me.” Apostasy, a defection from truth, is a departing from Jesus, rebelling against his instruction, and not imitating his example (1 Tim.6:3; 1 Tim.1:3; 2 Tim.4:4; 1 Cor.11:3; Luke 21:8; Rom.16:17; Matt.7:15; Heb.3:12; 1 John 2:6; 2 Thess.2:3).    The scriptures recorded the history God’s chosen ancient nation of Israel’s actions, both good and wayward, “examples…written for our admonition” (1 Cor.10:6-11; Heb.3:5; 9:1,6,9; 10:1,11,3,5-8). In the Hebrew scriptures, we find God’s people, his nation of Israel, repeatedly became rebellious. A Hebrew word was used for their disobedience: “meshubah,” defined, “apostasy,” “turning back/away,” “backsliding,” “waywardness,” and “unfaithful” (Prov.1:32; Jer.3:6,8,11,12,22; 5:6; 8:5; 14:7; Hos.11:7).    Time and again we read scriptural accounts of Israel’s unfaithfulness/apostasy due to their “abominations,” which described various kinds of wickedness they were warned against and described as “detestable things/images” and “disgusting thing/idols/god/practices” (Deut.12:31; 18:9-12; 20:18; 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 16:3; 21:2; 23:24; 2 Chron.28:3; Jer.4:1; 16:18; 32:34; Ezek.5:11; 7:20; 11:18).   Ancient Israel was God’s “treasured possession,” a “holy people,” and where He dwelled, but their abominable idolatrous practices were considered adultery/prostitution/“acts of harlotry,” and resulted in God describing them as a “prostitute”/“harlot” (Deut.7:6; 26:18; 14:2; Exod.34:14-16; Num.35:34; Jer.2:11,20; 5:7; 13:27; 16:18; Hos.3:1; 4:15; 9:1; Psalm 106:39; Isa.1:21; Ezek.16:15,22,25,34,36).    Did you ever take note of the pattern of ancient Israel’s priesthood? The priesthood were the only consecrated persons to permitted to carry out “daily sacrifices,” or offerings in God’s tabernacle and Temple…all others/”foreigners uncircumcised”/Gentiles/non-consecrated persons were forbidden from duties in the Temple, at the penalty of death (Jer.33:18; Deut.17:14,15; Lev.3:16; 17:5,6; 2 Chron.23:6,7; 1 Chron.9:33; Exod.29:38-40,42-44; 40:15,16; Num.18:7; 28:6; Lev.6:9-12; Ezek.44:9).    Despite being repeatedly told that that no one “except the priests and Levites” were permitted to serve in the Temple, the Israelites even departed from that divine command and appointed uncircumcised foreigners to “keep charge” of God’s sanctuary (Ezek.44:6-8,10,12,15; 20:30,31; Num.18:7).    We recall that “all the things that were written beforehand were written to instruct us” (Rom.15:4). What a constellation of apostate acts have been recorded and described in the scriptures! Both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures come together perfectly to present a complete picture that perfectly guides us on how what apostate acts are, and how to identify apostasy, according to God and Jesus. Let’s first start with the Hebrew scriptures, which describe God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, and the divine commands regarding worship they were not to depart from:    · God referred to the nation of Israel as “My people,” “a holy nation,” “holy people,” and His “dwelling place” (Deut.7:6; 26:19; 28:9; Exod.19:6; 22:31; 25:8; Lev.21:15; 2 Chron.7:14; 1 Kings 8:16; Isa.51:4; Ezek.21:12; 37:27).    · God established a covenant with His people whom He chose, and gave them divine commandments and instruction for building the Temple and sanctuary (Deut.14:2; Gen.17:4; Exod.25:8,9; Exod.19:5; 24:8; Deut.4:13; see Exod.24-26).    · Temple duties were limited to a consecrated priesthood, anointed to carry out the daily sacrifices/offerings/sacred service (Exod.29:1,9,29,44; Lev.6:9-12; Num.18:7; Jer.33:18; 1 Chron.9:33; 23:24; 2 Chron.23:6,7; 26:16-18; 13:10,11; 35:3; Neh.12:44-47; 13:10,11; Ezek.44:6-8).    · Uncircumcised foreigners/Gentiles were forbidden from sacred service duties in God’s Temple and forbidden to be appointed as king over Israel (Deut.17:14,15; 2 Chron.23:6; Ezek.44:6-9; Lam.1:10; 5:2).    · God’s holy people were commanded not to imitate the customs of worship of the surrounding nations, and their abominable idolatrous and detestable practices (Deut.12:30; 18:9; 20:18; 2 Kings 9:9, 17:7-15).    · Warnings against idolatry included setting up physical idols and setting up “idols in their heart” (Deut.4:16,23; Exod.20:1-5; 23:13; 34:17; Lev.19:4; 26:1; Ezek.44:12; 14:1-5).    · Israel had a choice: Obey God’s commandments, be blessed and looked upon with favor, or do not obey God’s commandments and lose blessings and favor, and bear the consequences of their sin/unfaithfulness (Deut.7:12; 11:13-17; 28:1,15; Lev.26:3-13,14-39; 1 Chron.9:1; 2 Chron.7:19-22; Hosea 10:15; 11:7; Ezek.15:8; 39:23,26; 44:10-12; Josh.22:20; Dan.9:7).   · Israel’s record reveals they often became wayward/apostate/unfaithful, and their rebellious acts likened to adultery, prostitution, and the “sin of divination” (1 Sam.15:23; Lev.17:7; Jer.3:6,8; Zeph.1:3-5; Hosea 6:7; 9:1; Ezra 9:1,2; Josh.7:1; 1 Chron.5:25; 2 Chron.28:22; 29:6; 30:7; Ezek.20:27).    · Israel’s acts of unfaithfulness included “detestable practices of the nations,” idolatry/trusting in idols, and breaking the divine commands of who may perform sacred service in the Temple (2 Kings 17:7-11,15,41; 9:22; 21:21; Exod.32:4,8; Judges 18:31; 2 Chron.26:16-18; 36:14; Jer.48:7; Isa.44:17; Ezek.23:49; Hosea 4:12; 10:5,13; Psalm 52:7; 135:15-18).    · Detestable and idolatrous acts were likened to sexual immorality; God described His people’s “acts of harlotry” and adultery as sexual immorality and called them a “prostitute”/”harlot.” (Isa.1:21; Lev.17:7; Jer. 2:17,19-22; 3:6-9; 9:2; Isa.1:21; Ezekiel 16:1,2,14-17,20-26,32,33,35,36; Micah 1:7; Hosea 4:12; 9:1).    · When Israel was unfaithful, God “kept warning them by means of his messengers, warning them again and again, because he felt compassion for his people and for his dwelling place,” and good news that a repentant remnant of Israel, at times, only a few refugees, would be saved (2 Kings 17:12,13; 2 Chron.36:14,15; Isa.1:9;19,27,28; 10:20-22; 28:5; 41:8,9,27; Jer.23:3; 44:14; Ezra 9:8; Nahum 1:14,15; Micah 2:12; Hos.1:10; Joel 2:32).    The apostles drew attention to the first covenant Temple arrangement as it foreshadowed, illustrated, and served as a pattern for the spiritual Temple arrangement under the new covenant established by Jesus’ sacrificial death (1 Cor.10:6,7,11; Heb.7:19; 8:5; 9:1,8-10; 10:1; Col.2:17; Rom.4:18,22-25).   · All anointed “have an anointing from the Holy Spirit” by God, and become part of “Christ’s body.” Christ’s body is “not of one member but of many” with each part given different gifts according to the Holy Spirit given them from God (Matt.16:18; 2 Cor.1:21; Col.2:9; 1 John 2:20; Heb.12:23; Acts 1:4; Rom.8:15,28; 12:4,5; 1 Cor.2:11-13; 10:17; 12:12-18,27-29; 14:33; John 2:19,21; Mark 14:58; Jude 1:13; Rev.1:5,2).    · All anointed are “living stones,” a “spiritual house” in which “the whole building,” “God’s household,” is built together into “a holy Temple.” Christ is the “foundation cornerstone,” a “chief cornerstone,” and “Son over God’s house,” in which “there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved” (1 Pet.2:4,5; Heb.3:6; Acts 4:11,12; 1 Tim.3:15; Eph.2:19-22; Matt.21:42; Isa.28:16; 1 Pet 2:4,5,9,10; 1 John 2:27 John 14:26).    · All anointed are “God’s Temple” and “dwelling place.” Ancient Israel and their Temple worship served as a “copy and shadow of heavenly things. When the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ disciples, they grasped that the physical city of Jerusalem was no longer God’s Temple for worship, and expressed that as “living stones,” they are God’s Temple and dwelling place and that He dwells in them. Yes, the early Christians had fellowship and congregated in homes, and the apostle Paul drove the point home to them that God does not dwell in man-made Temples. Jesus, as high priest, and “mediator of a better covenant,” is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God, and is a minister of God’s sanctuary and true tabernacle erected not by man, but by God (1 Cor.3:16,17; Matt.12:6; Acts 7:48,49; 17:24; Heb.8:1-6; Heb.9:11,24; Heb.10:19-21; John 4:21-24; Isa.66:1; 2 Cor.5:1).    · All anointed are a “holy priesthood” with Jesus as “high priest.” Jesus “has become surety of a better covenant,” making obsolete the old covenant with his death. Jesus has a “permanent priesthood,” those who God considers to be “My people,” just was ancient Israel, but now ordaining a spiritual priesthood for acts of divine service, a sacred service without the limitations of physical burnt offerings, but “spiritual sacrifices” (Heb.3:1; Heb.7:22,24,26-28; Heb.8:1,9,10; Heb.9:1,6-10; Heb.10:5-10; Rom.12:1; 1 Pet.2:5,9).    · All anointed, Christ’s body, are Jesus’ “congregation.” Jesus Christ is the “firstborn” and “the Ruler of the kings of the earth” - Jesus is not the ruler of the world, but he is the “head” and the ruler over his “body,” his “congregation” of all anointed (John 12:31; 14:30; 1 Cor.2:12; 12:12-18,27-29; Rev.1:5,6; 2:11; 5:10; 3:21; 12:9; 20:4,6).    · All anointed are taught directly by the Spirit. Spirit teaches all anointed, and together, as a “holy priesthood,” they must carry out their priestly duties by offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. These “sacrifices” are not literal burnt offerings as was carried out by ancient Israel’s priesthood who served in God’s Temple. All anointed, as God’s Temple, are to offer themselves as a “living sacrifice,” and through a perpetual “sacrifice of praise,” which is a bearing of “much fruit,” “the fruit of the lips”; sharing with others what the Spirit has taught them (John 14:26; Heb.13:15,16; Psalm 119:108; Rom.12:1; 1 John 2:20,27; 1 Cor.1:21; 2:10; 12:7,11-13; Matt.7:17; 13:23; Mark 4:20; 1 John 2:27; 14:16; 15:4,5,16,18,26; 12:24; 16:3,7,13; Acts 2:33; Jer.33:18; Rev.22:3-5).    · All anointed are ”branches” that must remain attached to the “vine”/Jesus. All anointed must remain faithful to Christ’s teachings, lest they stray, become unfaithful, and be “cut off” from the vine/Jesus, discarded/”thrown into the fire.” Yes, it is possible for anointed to stop following Jesus, become apostate, and lose their “light.” Without “light”, they are in darkness and become false teachers, producing “fruit”/teachings that “rot”/expire and are thus, lies (Heb.3:12-15; 4:7,11; 6:4-6,18; John 3:19; 8:12; 15:5-7,16; 2 Cor.2:11; 4:6; 11:13,14; Rom.11:17-22; Acts 26:18,23; Matt.22:14; 7:15-23; 15:8,9; Mark 13:22; 1 John 2:11; John 8:44; Num.23:19).    We now have the keys, the scriptures, to identify an apostate! Carefully examine the example of ancient Israel, God’s people, and take note of the divine laws regarding the Temple/tabernacle arrangement….THIS is a pattern and foreshadow of God’s spiritual Temple (Eph.2:14-16; 1 Cor.10:6,7,11; Rom.4:23; Num.18:1,5-7; 2 Chron.23:5,6,18,19; Heb.8:5; 10:1; Col.2:17).   According to scripture, here is what we know: · Jesus’ faithful death fulfilled the old covenant, making it obsolete, and established a new covenant, one where God’s Temple is made up of spirit-anointed persons that include Gentiles, who are spiritual Jews, a “holy priesthood”/Jesus’ congregation. All anointed are God’s Temple, “living stones” that build His “house” (1 Pet.2:5; 1 Cor.3:10; 12:27,28; Rom.12:4-8; Eph.2:19-22; Rom.2:25-29; Col.2:11; 3:11,12,15; Phil.3:3; 1 Cor.7:19; Gal.5:6).    · Jesus foretold that “many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matt.24:10,11). Jesus said, “watch out for false prophets” (Matt.7:15-20), “Watch out that no one deceives you” (Mark 13:5). Deception is an attempt to lead you in the wrong way, away from true teachings of Jesus Christ.    · Will it be easy to identify a false prophet? No, it will not. Jesus warns that false prophets will deceive by appearing sheep-like and be successful because they will actually be well received and praised by many people (Luke 6:26; 1 Cor.2:14; 2 Cor.11:13-15; 1 John 4:1; Heb.5:14; Matt.7:15; 24:11,25; 22:14; Rom.12:2; John 7:24; 1 Tim.4:1; 1 Thess.5:21).    · Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness” (Luke 17:20). However, a “natural person” is enticed by the “senses,” and unable to “hear” and “see” because of not using spiritual discernment (1 Cor.2:14; Matt.13:13,14; 16:1-4; 12:39; 23:27,28; Mark 8:11,12; Luke 12:54-56; 2 Pet.2:18; Rom.8:5-8; 11:8; 1 John 4:1; 2 Thess.2:2; Jer.5:21).    Such persons will be easily deceived by false prophets who were foretold by Jesus to perform “great signs and wonders,” observable acts done to elicit a reaction of awe from onlookers, and to deceive, “if possible, even the elect,” spiritual Jews/anointed (Mark 13:22; Matt.24:24,22,31; John 4:48).    · Jesus said we would recognize false prophets by their “fruit.” What fruit? Jesus’s teachings because he is the “fruit of the light,” “the light of the world” and reflects God’s light, God’s truth (John 3:19,21; 8:12; 12:46; 14:6; 17:17; Eph.5:9; 1 John 1:5-7; 2:8; 2 Cor.4:6; Luke 11:36; Psalm 27:1).    · The teachings, the “fruit,” we ingest from those we trust to be faithful anointed taught by Holy Spirit, does that “fruit” rot away and expire over time? If so, we are ingesting “fruit” from a false prophet, an anointed that has departed from Jesus’ teachings. Do not be deceived, God and Jesus will not vacillate or have difficulty relaying truth by the “Spirit of truth” for as we know “It is impossible for God to lie” or to “change His mind” (Heb.6:18; Titus 1:2; James 1:17; Num.23:19; John 14:17,26; 15:26; 1 John 4:6; Psalm 25:5). Truth that “rots” is a lie, a hallmark of Satan who “masquerades as an angel of light,” and is the father of the lie (Matt.7:15-23; 12:33;15:8; Luke 6:43,44; 2 Cor.2:11; 11:13,14; John 8:44; Heb.6:18).    · Jesus’ apostles too warned of individuals who are among God’s household, His Temple, who would lead in teaching others yet would become unfaithful/apostate. “The inspired word clearly says that in later time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons” (1 Tim.4:1; 2 Tim.4:3,4; Acts 20:29,30; 2 Cor.11:3,13-15; 6:16; Eph.2:21,22; 1 John 4:1; Col.2:8; 1 Tim.4:1). The apostles did not exclude their own teachings from being thoroughly tested against scripture, and reminded the early Christians to “test all things,” a reminder preserved for us today in which no one is excluded from (1 Thess.5:21; 1 John 4:1).    What Temple of God was the apostle Paul speaking about? Ancient Israel? No, remember the scriptures tell us that those anointed by Spirit are “living stones,” they are God’s Temple. (1 Pet.2:5; 1 Cor.3:16,17). Is it feasible to think the Father departed, apostatized from His own truthful words, breaking his covenant with His people and directing His son Jesus to select a religious group among all the religions on the globe as a representation of the Most High? That instead of all anointed being God’s Temple, anointed leaders are to imitate surrounding physical religious organizations common today, perhaps imitating televangelists, or churches, in the sense of man-made buildings/structures. Did Jesus depart from his own teaching that anointed, who are the parts of his “body” and taught directly by Spirit, are now, not to receive direction from him, their “head,” and that he now, diverts his authority over his own “congregation”/”body” to not-anointed elders/overseers/physical Gentiles to teach and judge them? (Ezek.20:32; 2 Cor.6:16; 1 Cor.6:15,19,20; 12:12,13,27,28; 1 John 2:27; John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7,13; 1 Thess.1:9; Eph.1:23; 5:5; Isa.42:8; Lev.19:4; 26:1; 1 John 5:21; Rom.1:21-23; Gal.1:6-9; Deut.12:29-32; Lev.20:22,23; Jer.10:2-4; 1 Cor.2:14; Deut.7:26; Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14).    We are warned that an “apostasy comes first” before “God’s day.” “Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it [God’s day, vs.2] will not come until the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the Temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god” (2 Thess.2:3,4).    This very thing was prophesied to occur, is happening now, and has been revealed in Revelation. What anointed leaders have departed from Christ’s teachings and have become adulterous with their idolatrous acts by setting up an idol, a physical religious organization that claims the title of “God’s earthly organization”? “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I, then, take the members of the Christ away and join them to a prostitute? By no means!” (1 Cor.6:15). This “wild beast,” Watchtower, is led by a “false prophet” who has “breathed life,” a spirit of divine authority into its “image,” not-anointed elders/overseers (Rev.13:1-18). The only spirit this “image” has been given is out of the mouth of the “false prophet,” a deceiving spirit that originates from Satan and blasphemes God, “slandering his name and his dwelling place,” His holy people…inciting God’s wrath (Rev.13:4,7-10; Rom.2:5-8; Rev.14:9-11; 1 Pet.2:9; Heb.13:14; Col.3:12; Eph.2:6-10,12,19-22; Phil.3:3; Rom.2:28,29; 1 John 4:6; 2:44; 8:44; Jude 1:4; Deut.7:26; 29:17; Jer.16:18; Isa.62:12; Ezek.5:11; 11:21; 16:36; 20:7,8; Ezra 9:1,2; Rom.2:17-24; Acts 17:24; Acts 7:48-53; Titus 1:2).    Do you dare to confront the leaders of Watchtower or their elder/overseer representatives who speak for them about their false teachings, or openly disagree with them? If so, will you be left “unharmed” (avoid shunning, disfellowshipping)? “Who is like the wild beast [Watchtower], and who can do battle with it?” (Rev.13:4). “And it [the false prophet] was permitted to give breath [appearance of divine spirit and authority] to the image of the wild beast [not anointed elders/overseers], so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed (symbolic for disfellowshipping and shunning) all those who refuse to worship the image of the wild beast” (Rev.13:15).   Can you now, using scripture, spiritually discern the apostasy that has occurred and the man of lawlessness/Gentiles/not-anointed that have taken a seat in God’s Temple and are trampling God’s spiritual Temple? (2 Thess.2:1-4; Exod.20:3; 1 Cor.3:16,17; 6:2; Mark 13:1,2,14; Luke 21:20-24,28; 17:20,21; Matt.24:12,15,16; Rom.12:1; Dan.11:31; Rev.11:1,2; 13:7; 17:15; 21:27; John 18:36; Matt.24:4; Ezek.5:11; Deut.7:26; 2 Kings 17:41).    God’s spiritual Temple, Jesus, the head of this “congregation,” is being surrounded, hemmed in and trampled by not anointed/physical Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Rev.11:2; 12:17; 19:20; Dan.8:13; Heb.10:29; Acts 3:17-20; Jer.12:10; 17:5; 32:36-44; Isa.1:4-9; Rom.9:31-33; 6:16,20-22). Do you discern the abomination? It is time to flee! (Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:21; Dan9:27). “But a physical man does not accept the things of the spirit of God, they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually” (1 Cor.2:14).    God is right 100% of the time…all His prophecies come true (Dan.8:13; 1 Thess.5:20,21; 1 Cor.14:32; Deut.18:18,19; Jer.12:10; 17:5; 32:36-44; Heb.10:29; Hos.12:10; Amos 3:7; 2 Chron.20:20; 24:19; Isa.1:4-9; 8:20; 30:10; Matt.5:11,12; Rom.12:6,7; Eph.4:11-13; 1 John 4:1).    God always warns His people when they become wayward, sending messengers to warn them, and with good news...a remnant will repent, and return to their “head,” Jesus, worshiping God in truth and spirit (Rev.22:12-16,18,19; 21:22-27; Eph.4:15; 5:23; Col.2:10; John 4:23,24; 16:13; Rev.3:12; 12:17; 19:20; Acts 3:17-20; Jer.4:1; Isa. 10:20-23; Ezek.11:18; 2 Kings 19:30,31; Rom.6:16; 9:27).    Who do you believe and have more faith in…Christ’s teachings, or the Watchtower’s? (John 5:22-24: Luke 10:16; 1 John 2:23; Isa.29:13; Mark 7:6; Matt.15:8; Eph.2:8,9; Titus 1:16).    “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues” (Rev.18:4).   YHVH's Genuine Mountain
                     
  18. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    Good point.
    So why did D. Splane decide to pursue JW forums and the topic of apostasy? 
    Well, this letter must have struck a harsh chord with the GB.  Pearl Doxsey has been exposing the leadership for many years, and I joined her around 2013-14.  But Rachel’s letter reaching elders at kingdom halls, branch offices and headquarters world-wide, most likely was the icing on the cake.
    https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/topic/88999-defining-apostasy/
    They can’t hide their sins anymore.  They can only plead with JWs to stay away from sites such as this one. 
    I will echo his words but direct them toward JWs who reside with false prophets  – “We are not so strong, so spiritual, so intelligent, that we cannot be affected by the poison of apostate ideas.”
     
  19. Like
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Kick_Faceinator in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    On contrary, JW publications claims how all other religious web pages outside of WTJWorg and many other secular pages that not supports WTJWorg teachings are apostates and/or enemies of ..., but in same time producing and multiplying own apostasy on various issues. 
    Example of apostasy is visible in this: 
    In WTJWorg preaching, several Endings of Last Days have been coming during these 140 years. Such teachings are in fact apostasy for several reasons. One of striking piece of evidence is that their announcements were never fulfilled. 
  20. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Witness in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    On contrary, JW publications claims how all other religious web pages outside of WTJWorg and many other secular pages that not supports WTJWorg teachings are apostates and/or enemies of ..., but in same time producing and multiplying own apostasy on various issues. 
    Example of apostasy is visible in this: 
    In WTJWorg preaching, several Endings of Last Days have been coming during these 140 years. Such teachings are in fact apostasy for several reasons. One of striking piece of evidence is that their announcements were never fulfilled. 
  21. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    Yes, even those leaving the organization submit to the Father and Jesus for a good “cleaning” through repentance, for our time of listening to lies and falling into idolatry - that an organization built by men could lead anyone to salvation. (Acts 4:12)   When we leave, we begin to perceive the distinction between what is true and what is not, and what it means to practice righteous worship to the Father.  (Heb 10:22)
    I have heard a small bit of D. Splane’s talk on JW forums and otherwise, and how they effect JWs.   I’m curious how JWs here would respond to that, since he said JWs who participate, “are not good for one another”.  In other words, JWs cannot think for themselves, help each other spiritually,  but must listen to these men who stumble over their own doctrine. 
      He said apostasy is “rot from within” – spiritual poison. (Matt 7:15-20; Luke 6:45)   He continued to say, it is hard to recognize apostasy and to avoid it. He mentioned “teachers” could destroy our faith, which I found his use of “teachers” interesting. There are anointed teachers outside of the organization who are threatening the position of the GB and exposing their poison.   We can definitely point the finger right back at the “teachers” on the GB, as the apostates instead.  
    Another point he made was that “not many get deliberately involved with apostates, and that they ‘had no idea that apostates were behind it.’  “It’s tricky, because the apostates don’t advertise you are now on an apostate web page”
    1 Tim 4:1 - "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."
    We have access to one extensive, widely known web page where the teachings are not consistent, but take twists and turns – tight switchbacks on their path of “new light”, that still lead one down a rabbit hole of darkness.  Only through deception can one still "love" such teachings over the truth in Jesus Christ.  2 Thess 2:9-12
    I have yet to listen to his entire talk.  If only JWs would realize that they are breathing and drinking in, the doctrines of apostates. 
     Rev 8:10,11
    Apostasy
     
  22. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Witness in The Good News of God's Kingdom...   
    This verse is also useful to show how funny, how ridiculous it sounds when JW literature talks about “cleansing within an organization” in some specific time periods that were a turning point for the WTJWorg Administration.
  23. Downvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Dmitar in KING OF THE NORTH - MAY BROADCAST   
    All of this has been done by WTJWorg scholars over a period of 140 years ... and all of their interpretations are on shaky ground.
  24. Downvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Dmitar in KING OF THE NORTH - MAY BROADCAST   
    What did it take for GB, as the final result of the discussion/debate, to conclude/identify that this is exactly that political creation / state and not someone else? Russia is not the only country that has persecuted dissidents of any kind in the past or present. Nor is the only one haunting JW. And, as far as I can see it is a one of more important argument (persecution of JW) that supposedly identifies it as the “northern king”.
  25. Downvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Dmitar in KING OF THE NORTH - MAY BROADCAST   
    When "Charity" organization writing articles, in so called "religious" publications, about "Russia and its allies", that is one aspect of political engagement.  
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