Srecko Sostar

Of course, there is a resident Doctor on hand at every Bethel .... or at least a Nurse Practitioner .... and I am sure that any "problems" in these regards could be properly diagnosed.

What are you going to call it when it is true?   Spiritual food? 
No need for them to be THAT stupid, its already been declared that jws should follow the direction no matter how stupid. 
"All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not." Watchtower 2013 Nov 15 p.20

@Shiwiii @James Thomas Rook Jr.
 

When I see one walk into Bethel with a pillow, blanket and a dirty mag, and be totally self satisfying.....THAT is a Bethelite. 
 
Seriously, how weird does it have to be there for the wt to have to make videos about self pleasure, one for the guys and one for the girls. Now that is a leaked video, pillowgate 2018 brought to you by wt. Can't wait for the sign language version to come out. 

These men claim to be leading God’s flock, following the Word of Christ.  Instead, they have thoroughly corrupted the teachings of Christ with their own precepts.  Is it any different that how the Pharisees ritualistically taught commandments of men and not of God?
He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  Mark 7:6-9
…And in the Wt., it is the tradition and doctrine of rank in the organization.  There is no Bible basis for it.  
James 2:1-4 - “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Gal 1:10 - "Is it, in fact, men I am now trying to persuade or God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I would not be Christ’s slave.”
Isa 28:10 - For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,
Line upon line, line upon line,
Here a little, there a little.”
1 Cor 4:6 –  “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”
2 Cor 1:24 – “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.”
Obviously, the elder body not only "think beyond what is written", but does have dominion over the faith of each JW.  They “mark” an individual as acceptable, or a failure, according to their own precepts.  Why, would anyone want to bring an individual into such captivity? 
How can it be called "the truth", when it is established on doctrine not found in God's Word; but rather, on hypocrisy?

Recently some secret “eldersÂ’ training videos” that are going to be used for the 2018 Kingdom Ministry School of JehovahÂ’s Witnesses were leaked online. One particular video was very disturbing; it showed a skit of three elders discussing what the religion calls “regular pioneers.” These are persons who spend a high amount of time in the preaching and proselytizing work of JehovahÂ’s Witnesses; in 2018, these pioneers were required to report a total of 840 hours for the year, equaling 70 hours per month.
The elders, in this demonstration, are discerning if three such pioneers in their congregation should be allowed to remain as pioneers, as each one has failed to meet that hourly requirement for the past year.

Despite this outright instruction to think of themselves as equals, Jehovah’s Witnesses and their elders dole out this position of pioneer, blatantly elevating it above other “publishers,” or congregation members. This is demonstrated when the men in the skit read a letter sent to all elders, dated May 1, 2017, which discusses how to handle various scenarios of pioneers who cannot meet their hours. The letter notes that a person could be considered an “infirm pioneer,” if they felt that removing the person from the pioneer ranks would be a “backward step” for them:

This point, that being a pioneer elevates you above the rest of the congregation, is emphasized again in that same letter, when it separates and divides the everyday congregants or publishers from these pioneers:

Obviously, to this woman and those whom she represents in this skit, the preaching work itself is not of importance; itÂ’s having a special title that says youÂ’re doing more than the next person thatÂ’s the real priority.
The elders sitting in a room, judging and critiquing pioneers or any congregation member without them present, about any subject, is disturbing enough. However, this video also demonstrates that pioneering is not about how effective you are in preaching and teaching, and it’s not about fulfilling any command given by Jesus, or about the people you might be helping. This title of pioneer is about just that; the title. It’s given to those who toe the company line and is taken away from those who are struggling, in order to elevate some above the congregation and then put others in their place. This harsh judging and critiquing of such ones shows that the preaching work of Jehovah’s Witnesses shouldn’t be called “field service,” but should just be called what it is; self-service.

Sometimes, the Watchtower publications have pointed back to a time when the Watchtower predicted World War One (WWI) in 1914 and then also predicted that the United Nations would rise up to replace the League of Nations. These two "predictions" have even been paired together and presented nearly back-to-back in our publications. They were even brought up again at the 2014 convention and the 2009 convention. The reason the Watchtower has reviewed these two ideas from our history is probably already obvious and clear, and it has been clearly stated, too.
One of the most recent reviews of the history of Jehovah's Witnesses contains very similar claims, and is found in one of the videos, now also available on tv.jw.org: https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/VODOrgHistory/pub-ivfa2_x_VIDEO
These online transcripts appear fairly accurate:
Video Transcript Jehovah's Witnesses Faith in Action Part 1 Out of Darkness.pdf Video Transcript Jehovah's Witnesses Faith in Action Part 2 Let the Light Shine.pdf Here is the relevant part about 1914:
—Geoffrey W. Jackson—
They realized that 1914 had a significance, —Gerrit Lösch—
When World War I broke out in July, they felt vindicated and it strengthened their faith in the Bible, and in Jehovah’s prophetic Word. Also, it enhanced their trust that Jehovah was using Brother Russell and his friends to explain truth to others. —Anthony Morris III—
Just looking at the sign of the times that Jesus told us to look at is enough, but it's still significant that they could pinpoint that year. That's phenomenal. Here is the relevant part about the UN and League of Nations:
—Narrator—
. . . And soon, they would boldly proclaim a Bible prophecy that pointed to the outcome of that war. ——Chapter 4: "Taught By Jehovah"——
—Narrator—
The year was 1941. Having taken the lead for 25 momentous years, J. F. Rutherford had become seriously ill and was about to make his final public appearance. . . . The second World War was raging. Some felt that these events could lead directly into Armageddon. In spite of this, in 1942, Nathan H. Knorr—the one next appointed to take the lead among Jehovah's Witnesses—spoke at a convention about a Bible prophecy that indicated that significant events had to occur first. —Knorr (reenactment)—
This international war is not 'the battle of the great day of God Almighty.' Before Armageddon comes, the Scriptures show, a peace must come. —John Wischuk—
There was no peace on the horizon, and yet we said, "Peace—Can It Last?" —Narrator—
Knorr centered attention on Revelation 17:8, which indicates that a figurative wild beast would come into existence, would cease to exist, but then would come back to life. Knorr then drew his listeners' attention to the defunct League of Nations. —Knorr (reenactment)—
The League is in effect in a state of suspended animation and needs to be revived if it is ever to live again. It has gone into the abyss of inaction and ineffectiveness. It "is not." Will the League remain in the pit? Again the Word of God gives answer: The association of worldly nations will rise again. —Narrator—
That association did rise again three years later as the United Nations. —Anthony Morris III—
They didn't know it was going to be called the United Nations, and we don't make that claim. But they knew it was coming out.  
[Should be noted that Morris is claiming something that they "KNEW" in advance but he is also correcting a common claim that not only did Knorr predict the rise of the League of Nations three years ahead of time, but that he even used the term "United Nations." As one person writes on a website "Knorr prophesied in 1942 that the League of Nations would rise out of the abyss. Knorr used the expression 'United Nations.' How could he have known the exact name of the new incarnation, when it wasn't established until 1945?"]
Witnesses got these ideas about a correctly predicted prophecy from an article published a few years later under Knorr's administration in 1960. These quotes should be compared with the actual transcript of the speech Knorr made on September 20, 1942, which was made available as a booklet, and can be found here: http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/booklets/peace.html
The July 15, 1960 Watchtower, page 444, said this:
"In 1942 the “faithful and discreet slave” guided by Jehovah’s unerring spirit made known that the democracies would win World War II and that there would be a United Nations organization set up." You can also see a reference to the 1942 event in the Revelation book (p.248) on WOL at jw.org: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101988034
You can also read the following about it in the April 15, 1989 Watchtower, p.14 https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101988034
By divine providence, Jehovah’s Witnesses received enlightenment on that mystery in 1942. . . . Nathan H. Knorr, president of the Watch Tower Society, gave the public talk, “Peace—Can It Last?” Therein he reviewed Revelation 17:8, . . . . Was that Bible-based forecast fulfilled? Truly it was! In 1945 the international “wild beast” emerged from its abyss of inactivity as the United Nations. See also the Kingdom Come book  kc chap. 17 pp. 162-173 and and interesting version of events found in a 1981 Watchtower about why this "insight" was given w81 12/15 pp. 28-30
The Proclaimers book states it like this on page 192-3 (  jv chap. 14 pp. 188-201 )
This time, it involved the United Nations, successor to the League. While World War II was still under way, in 1942, Jehovah’s Witnesses had already discerned from the Bible, at Revelation 17:8, that the world peace organization would rise again, also that it would fail to bring lasting peace. This was explained by N. H. Knorr, then president of the Watch Tower Society, in the convention discourse “Peace—Can It Last?” Boldly Jehovah’s Witnesses proclaimed that view of the developing world situation. In 1993 the idea was stated as follows:
“The Disgusting Thing” 12, 13. What was “the disgusting thing,” and—as foreseen by the faithful and discreet slave—when and how was it reestablished? 12 When the end of the second world war was in sight, there was another development. “They will certainly put in place the disgusting thing that is causing desolation.” (Daniel 11:31b) This “disgusting thing,” which Jesus also mentioned, had already been recognized as the League of Nations, the scarlet-colored wild beast that according to Revelation went into the abyss. (Matthew 24:15; Revelation 17:8; see Light, Book Two, page 94.) It did this when World War II broke out. However, at the New World Theocratic Assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1942, Nathan H. Knorr, third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, discussed the prophecy of Revelation 17 and warned that the beast would rise again from the abyss. 13 History bore out the truth of his words. Between August and October 1944, at Dumbarton Oaks in the United States, work was begun on the charter of what would be called the United Nations. The charter was adopted by 51 nations, including the former Soviet Union, and when it came into force on October 24, 1945, the defunct League of Nations in effect came out of the abyss. There are several more examples, but this should suffice. I am struck by how often the point is emphasized that these were Knorr's words, "his words" and that they were a Bible-based forecast "foreseen" and "discerned" and "known" in advance through "divine providence" and "enlightenment" and men being "guided by Jehovah's unerring spirit." This is an odd focus on the insights and discernment of men. These expressions are also dangerously presumptuous in that they are so often applied to the one or two times when it seems something was foreseen correctly, but there is no balanced way of discussing the reasons that literally dozens of predictions were made incorrectly and have been dropped as "old light."
But, as many Witnesses already know, there is something even deeper that is wrong with these claims of accuracy in discernment. The claims are inaccurate! It turns out that this was not really even predicted in advance. A close look at the original transcript of Knorr's talk actually solves the mystery of why he used the term United Nations in his speech. It's because he gave the speech AFTER official work on the United Nations had already begun.

Can we imagine anyone attempting to subvert the position of High Priest, who is Jesus Christ?  Col 1:18; Heb 5:9,10; 7:26  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col+1%3A18%3B+Heb+5%3A9%2C10%3B+7%3A26++&version=NKJV
Does anyone try to stand in for Christ as High Priest?  Yes, the Governing Body.  Not true?  Well, they have assumed power over the anointed priesthood and judge their fellow servants as spiritually “dead” (disfellowshipped) for disagreeing with their doctrine.  Luke 21:12,13; John 16:2  Do they have the right to?  Matt 7:1,2; Rom 8:33,34; 14:4; James 4:12; 2 Cor 5:10    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+21%3A12%2C13%3B+John+16%3A2%3B+Matt+7%3A1%2C2%3B+Rom+8%3A33%2C34%3B+14%3A4%3B+James+4%3A12%3B+2+Cor+5%3A10++&version=NKJV
According to scripture, a “faithful and discreet slave” is appointed over God’s House as a “steward”/administrator of services and spiritual gifts, derived from among the priesthood. Yes, from among the anointed priesthood – who are God’s Household.  Luke 12:42; Eph 2:19; 1 Tim 3:15; 5:8; Heb 3:4-6  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A42%3B+Eph+2%3A19%3B+1+Tim+3%3A15%3B+5%3A8%3B+Heb+3%3A4-6++&version=NKJV
A ship or house steward oversees and manages all the various services performed, for the benefit of the household.  It is his or her job to administer all necessities produced, as well as provide the individual’s  own service, in keeping the household running smoothly.  The steward regulates and checks all presented by the staff, for quality and distribution. 
If today, there is in place, a “faithful and discreet slave” chosen for this spiritual position, should the rest of the priesthood wait until God’s Kingdom arrives, to offer their services to the steward who administers the household? 
No.  They should act as priests now; following their installed High Priest, Jesus Christ, and utilizing what gifts the Holy Spirit has given them, to be managed by the House Steward (see following comment)   All are to work in harmony as one anointed body.  1 Cor 12:7,8; Matt 25:14,22,23   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor+12%3A7%2C8%3B+Matt+25%3A14%2C22%2C23&version=NKJV
This is not the case in the organization.  The anointed have been cajoled into believing they must wait until the Kingdom arrives before they serve in their priestly capacity.  But notice:
“you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet 2:5
The scripture is not written in future tense, but it is to be enacted now.  Their offering of spiritual sacrifices comes from their own heart, not through the mouth of another. 
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”  Heb 13:15
A “wicked slave” uses its own false priesthood to distribute its own false “food”, which has created a famine of spiritual provisions that otherwise could nourish the sheep, if all priests were to contribute under the guidance of Holy Spirit from Christ. Luke 6:45; Ezek 34:17-19; Rev 8:10-11  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A45%3B+Ezek+34%3A17-19%3B+Rev+8%3A10-11++&version=NKJV
Clearly, it must be discerned that the governing body is unable to offer spiritual food from Christ, since it has SEVERED itself from the Body and at the same time, acts as the Body’s Head!  Rom 12:3-5; 1 Cor 12:7,21,22,25,16; Col 2:18,19    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom+12%3A3-5%3B+1+Cor+12%3A7%2C21%2C22%2C25%2C16%3B+Col+2%3A18%2C19++++&version=NKJV
Instead of being “faithful” with all provisions within the House of God, and “discreet” in it usage, the GB rejects and judges God’s priestly members for their offerings.
THEY HAVE CONTRAVENED THE ROLE OF JESUS CHRIST AS HIGH PRIEST.
Can you see this, JWs?  I can hear you say; “how would the organization run on just a handful of anointed ones?  We NEED the elders to teach!” 
Jesus knew beforehand the scenario to occur and affect the anointed ones in the time of the end.  The parable of the faithful and discreet slave chosen as steward over God’s House, warns of this.  Luke 12:37,45,47  We can’t look at it realistically on the one hand as being fulfilled, and then dismiss the possibility of a wicked one to arise, as the governing body is telling you.
If a slave of Christ has been assigned over God’s true priestly Household to fulfill his duties as a priest, (Mal 2:7) why would the remaining anointed Body be told they are not to serve as priests until Armageddon is finished? Who would the House Steward be managing, if there are no fellow active priests to manage?  Who would be bringing forth their provisions to nourish and support the Body, as well as their hearers, which includes YOU, JWs?  1 Cor 12:12,27; Eph 4:11,12; 1 Cor 12:7; 1 Pet 4:10   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A37%2C45%2C47%3B+Mal+2%3A7%3B+1+Cor+12%3A12%2C27%3B+Eph+4%3A11%2C12%3B+1+Cor+12%3A7%3B+1+Pet+4%3A10&version=NKJV
The governing body is only managing their un-anointed priesthood, who regurgitate what the wicked slave expects them to serve, sourced solely from their own mouth. 2 Cor 11:12,13; Rev 3:9; 2 Tim 3:13; Matt 24:24; Isa 28:8  
Are they working under the true definition of the term, “steward”?  The anointed priesthood’s provisions are left untouched and ignored by the wicked steward.  Luke 16:2,3;2 Cor 9:6-12   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor+11%3A12%2C13%3B+Rev+3%3A9%3B+2+Tim+3%3A13%3B+Matt+24%3A24%3B+Isa+28%3A8%3B++Luke+16%3A2%2C3%3B+2+Cor+9%3A6-12&version=NKJV
This priesthood and Body of Christ is God’s Temple. John 2:19-21;1 Cor 3:16,17  Do you believe it would have been acceptable for Gentiles to enter the ancient physical Temple of God?  Never!   2 Chron 13:9; 23:6; Ezek 44:6-9  Why would it be acceptable to God today for His Temple priesthood to submit themselves to “Gentile” rule – those who have not received the circumcision of the heart, to serve God in place of themselves?  Rom 2:29  Should their spiritual sacrifices be replaced by those not anointed? Dan 8:11,12   God’s priests in the organization allow this, without considering His view of this abomination against His “special possession” – His Temple.  2 Cor 11:4,20  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A19-21%3B1+Cor+3%3A16%2C17%3B+2+Chron+13%3A9%3B+23%3A6%3B+Ezek+44%3A6-9+%3B+Rom+2%3A29%3B+Dan+8%3A11%2C12%3B2+Cor+11%3A4%2C20&version=NKJV
There are both present at the time of the end – a wicked slave and a faithful slave.  A counterfeit and an authentic faithful slave.  The counterfeit upholds his counterfeit “Zion” – the organization. Hab 2:19; Rev 8:8  
The authentic slave teaches as Christ admonishes, in spirit and in truth.  John 4:23
The authentic slave reveals this situation to all priests of the Household; whereas the wicked slave keeps his fellow slaves muffled and trampled down by his own false priesthood.  John 16:13; Rev 11:1-3; Matt 24:15; Dan 11:31,36; Matt 24:48,49; Luke 22:25,26; 2 Thess 2:4
The authentic “faithful and discreet slave” cares for each member by warning them of the wicked one in their midst, admonishing them to separate and leave this task master behind.  2 Cor 6:14-18; Matt 24:15-18   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hab+2%3A19%3B+Rev+8%3A8%3B+John+4%3A23%3B+John+16%3A13%3B+Rev+11%3A1-3%3B+Matt+24%3A15%3B+Dan+11%3A31%2C36%3B+Matt+24%3A48%2C49%3B+Luke+22%3A25%2C26%3B+2+Thess+2%3A4%3B+2+Cor+6%3A14-18%3B+Matt+24%3A15-18&version=NKJV
You will know the two distinctly, by their fruits - their teachings -  not by what they build with money sourced in Satan’s world.   Matt 6:24  Jesus’ “belongings” are not only his sheep that must be cared for, but the spiritual gifts received through Holy Spirit and bestowed upon his servants; not earthly endeavors, as the Watchtower so deceitfully will tell you.  Matt 25:14;7:16-20; John 7:17;15:8; Matt 6:19-21; Luke 12:15-21
You will find the faithful and discreet slave “where the eagles gather”, as a symbolic carcass “slain’ by the wicked slave and its false priesthood. Luke 17:31-37; Rev 12:6;13:1,5-8,11,14-17;11:3,7  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+6%3A24%3B+Matt+25%3A14%3B7%3A16-20%3B+John+7%3A17%3B15%3A8%3B+Matt+6%3A19-21%3B+Luke+12%3A15-21%3B+Luke+17%3A31-37%3B+Rev+12%3A6%3B13%3A1%2C5-8%2C11%2C14-17%3B11%3A3%2C7+&version=NKJV 
This faithful slave isn’t found in another organization built in Satan’s realm.  Yet, how fitting it is to find a “wicked slave” consumed by greed, power and JWs continuous slavery, inhabiting his father’s realm – the world of confusion.  John 8:44; Amos 2:4; Rev 17:1-6; 18:4-8
Christ feeds his sheep through his true ambassador, in abundance.  2 Cor 5:20; Matt 24:31; John 14:26; Rev 12:14 ;Matt 22:4,8-10; Rev 19:9   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A44%3B+Amos+2%3A4%3B+Rev+17%3A1-6%3B+18%3A4-8%3B+2+Cor+5%3A20%3B+Matt+24%3A31%3B+John+14%3A26%3B+Rev+12%3A14+%3BMatt+22%3A4%2C8-10%3B+Rev+19%3A9&version=NKJV
The Watchtower August 2018 begins by stating:
“As true Christians, we need to develop the ability to EVALUATE INFORMATION and reach ACCURATE CONCLUSIONS. (Prov. 3:21-23; 8:4, 5) If we do not cultivate this ability, we will be far more VULNERABLE to the efforts of Satan and his world to DISTORT our thinking. (Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8) Of course, only if we have the facts can we reach RIGHT CONCLUSIONS. As Proverbs 18:13 says, “when anyone replies to a matter before he hears the facts, it is foolish and humiliating.” (caps mine)  
The governing body navigates around their own wickedness and failure as a faithful steward, by distorting the definition of “God’s House”.  Note:
This Watchtower quote conceals the “trampling” (Matt 24:15; 2 Thess 2:3,4) of God’s Temple priesthood by including everyone in the spiritual Temple of God:   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+24%3A15%3B+2+Thess+2%3A3%2C4&version=NKJV
“We all have a place in Jehovah’s house,” said the next speaker, Samuel Herd of the Governing Body. All Christians have a place in God’s “house” —his spiritual temple— the arrangement to worship him on the basis of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. It is a place to be cherished as a precious privilege. Like David, we desire to “dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of [our] life.” —Ps. 27:4.  w12 8/15 p. 17-18
As the organization:
“Jehovah’s witnesses give their support to God’s house or organization by their individual dedication vows and by their faithfulness in service.” Wt 56/11/1
 As the actual “Bethel”, the World Headquarters:
“Each Bethel worker knows that his assignment in the “House of God” takes priority over other activities.”  Wt 94/6/15
Down to the local kingdom hall:
“For millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses, there is no place closer to their heart than their regular place of worship, the Kingdom Hall. They show proper respect for that place. They manifest an industrious spirit in caring for it, and they strive always to use it properly. May you too follow the admonition that Jehovah himself gives: “Guard your feet whenever you go to the house of the true God.” Wt 93/6/15
You should be totally confused, JWs.  Simply, God’s House and Temple is the anointed Body of Christ. Eph 2:20-22; 2 Cor 6:14-18   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph+2%3A20-22%3B+2+Cor+6%3A14-18&version=NKJV
The scriptures I have sited are there for you to read and evaluate, to appropriately discern the FACTS. Please open your eyes and read them!  Satan appears as a minister of light.  2 Cor 11:12-15  He is a powerful expert at creating counterfeits that seem full of truth and light. We can recognize his ability to do so in our many walks through this life; but how much more so, can we be hoodwinked spiritually!  Luke 21:8; Acts 20:29; 2 Thess 2:9-12   He will reason in truth as the Watchtower quote has done, but will convince you to practice the lie, and take part in the trampling of God’s priesthood/Temple. Acts 7:57,58   His full intention is to deceive the anointed and you, through his own servants, before the Kingdom arrives.  Rev 13:11,14-17; 16:13-16  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor+11%3A12-15%3B++Luke+21%3A8%3B+Acts+20%3A29%3B+2+Thess+2%3A9-12%3B+Acts+7%3A57%2C58%3B+Rev+13%3A11%2C14-17%3B+16%3A13-16++++&version=NKJV
When Christ walked the earth, Satan’s attempted to gain power over him.  Now, he has in position, fallen anointed ones who have accepted his offer and willingly carry out his plan. The governing body holds sway over the anointed Household assuming the role as High Priest.  The Watchtower is Satan’s last magnificent, yet clandestine death trap to bring down the last “kings of the earth” and the “nations“ residing with them.  Luke 4:5-7; Rev 8:10,11; Rev 13:7,8,12; 17:1,2,6; 6:15-17    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A5-7%3B+Rev+8%3A10%2C11%3B+Rev+13%3A7%2C8%2C12%3B+17%3A1%2C2%2C6%3B+6%3A15-17&version=NKJV
FLEE, JWS!  Matt 24:15,16; Luke 21:21  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+24%3A15%2C16%3B+Luke+21%3A21&version=NKJV
I hope you consider Pearl Doxsey's articles:  "Flee - Where?"
Also, see "Who are the Kings of the Earth?"
4womaninthewilderness
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

News break:   https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2018/05/24/man-charged-jehovah-witness-sex-assault-kingdom-hall-red-lion/641968002/
If this has already been posted elsewhere, someone can delete my comment.

Yes, it is called, “confusion”…
God permits no deviation to truth.  Cults twist the truth.
Here are examples of ‘messing with your mind’; which cults are good at: 
Awake 9/22/04 p. 14 par 8:  “The Bible urges you to think for yourself”
Wt. 7/15/06 p22 par 14:  “Some fall into the trap of independent thinking”
 yp1 chap. 38 pp. 273-281:    Why not dig into your Bible and scrutinize your beliefs, perhaps using a book such as What Does the Bible Really Teach?
 Wt 89 9/15 pp 20-25:   “But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God’s organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us.” 

As an aside ... this always confused me .... what are 2,000 pigs doing in Israel, eating up all the forage?
2,000 pigs is a LOT of pigs!

It is both terminally sad, and actually funny, to see the Society's Lawyers speaking as one ... trying to explain that the obvious Elephant they are trying to hide under the beach towel is not really there.
Who knew that the Russians were AT LEAST as smart as the average amoeba?
 I mean .... who knew?

In process of reading many of your comments, especially about pregnancy and birth time, i learned a lot. But what is interesting to me in trying to connect all this information, i can put in this form of conclusion:
What Jesus meant and why while using such descriptions - and what his listeners concluded and understand is one thing. Something else is what (second or third opinion...) is what we today thinking about all that and what we derivate as conclusion/s about what He meant or even told in original form before so many centuries.
But human must try and try and try .... and never to stop

Early contractions coming  before or during the eighth month are a danger sign, indicating that something is wrong with the woman or the baby - e.g. the womb not expanding or some other ailment. There is nothing normal about that. That is premature and a hospitalization event, sometimes meriting a Caesarean section. So I don't think Jesus would be talking about that - he would be considering what is the usual thing.

There can be false alarms of course, where the mother to be ends up in hospital, only to be sent home again. I wonder how that scenario could fit into Jesus' illustration.

As a woman, who has given birth, I am not sure I would say that "birth pangs" or going into labour, is a surprise. In fact a pregnant woman in her last few weeks is expecting to go into labour soon. The only time she will be surprised and not expecting it is if she goes into labour prematurely, at an unaturaly early date in her pregnancy. However, the surprise element could be in that she could go into labour while out shopping and her waters break in the middle of the shop floor (or in the middle of a field in Jesus' day). So although she may be expecting to go into labour at any time, she could be caught at a rather inconvenient moment. So in view of that, what was Jesus saying?

Good point 

I should add that it's very possible for the disciples in 33 CE to hear these words on their own without the context and understand them to say that wars, food shortages and earthquakes would be signs that the end would be nearly upon them. We can't be blamed for seeing them the way the Watchtower explains them, because the Watchtower has always relied on re-translations of the words in Matthew 24 which tend to remove the meaning in context. 
There is a good example of this mistranslation in the Matthew 24:8 above, where it supposedly says "All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress." The KJV is often followed as closely as possible by at least half of the modern English translations whenever the differences do not seem that important. So about half of the English translations are very similar to ours. But a little more than half, from a check of 40 translations, include a translation of the Greek particle "de" which the KJV and the NWT skips here. In other words we translate it as if it said:
πάντα ταῦτα ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων when it really says:
πάντα δὲ ταῦτα ἀρχὴ ὠδίνων Why is the word important? It changes the meaning from:
"All these things are a beginning of birth pains" to:
"But all these things are but a beginning of birth pains." In other words it emphasizes that something is missing or even wrong in the natural understanding of the previous statement about wars and earthquakes and famines. Here's why. All the Greek lexicons mention something like the following:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1161&t=KJV
δέ dé, deh; a primary particle (adversative or continuative) STRONGS NT 1161: δέ δέ (related to δή, as μέν to μήν, cf. Klotz ad Devar. ii. 2, p. 355), a particle adversative, distinctive, disjunctive 1. universally, by way of opposition and distinction; it is added to statements opposed to a preceding statement: ἐάν ὀφθαλμός κτλ. Matthew 6:23; ἐλεύσονται δέ ἡμέραι, Mark 2:20; it opposes persons to persons or things previously mentioned It's true that it isn't ALWAYS translated, but when the context repeatedly refers to the possibility of a misunderstanding then it is an important part of the meaning and must be translated. (Matthew 24 repeatedly and explicitly mentions the possibility of misunderstanding or being misled.)
This is why, when we bring in the meaning of context with the original Greek meaning of the words (including: parousia, synteleia, de, etc) we would have a meaning that more likely fits the following scenario:
Disciples: Please, can you tell us when this destruction of Jerusalem's Temple will occur? Can you tell us the sign that we should look for when we know that the final end and your final manifestation is about to happen?  Jesus responds: Look out that nobody misleads you. Many people will come around, even on the basis of my name, saying they represent me, yet they will mislead many. [You could easily be misled by the fact that] there will be wars, earthquakes and famines. Don't be tempted to raise the alarm based on such things, because these kinds of things will keep taking place [as they always have]. All these things are but a beginning of the birth pains, [not the end of all things that you are asking about]. The reason Jesus said this becomes clear in the rest of the chapter when he mentions the suddenness and unexpectedness of the end. It can't be predicted. It's as if two persons were going about their business grinding at a mill, and one was taken and one wasn't. It's the way it happens with most pregnancies, when the mother-to-be can be going about her business, and suddenly and unexpectedly a pain comes upon her. It's the way it happens with a bolt of bright lightning that suddenly happens. It's the way it happened in Noah's day when people didn't really believe or expect it to happen and suddenly the flood sweeps them away. It's the same way it happened in the days of Lot and Sodom when, without warning, fire came from heaven and destroyed them.

After having spent twenty five and more years discussing things like this with people who have strong ideas about such things ... but like myself, NOT HAVING THE SLIGHTEST CLUE, I have given up even caring about such things.
Things ARE WHAT THEY ARE .... and,
THEY ARE NOT WHAT THEY ARE NOT
... and a million word exposition  by the clueless ... myself included ... will not change that.
Do the best you can ... chill out ... have a beer ...  relax ... take more naps.  Pay more attention to your children while you still can.
Most "pangs of distress", I have found ... are self inflicted.
About the OTHER "pangs of distress" ... soon ... perhaps too soon ... we will all know.
I will probably be worse if you built your home on the side of an active volcano, or you live close to Yellowstone Park.

I was born in a small town of a small country. I have a bit of school education and ordinary city life. But I'm becoming a peasant when I see how little I know and how much knowledge there is in this life - before, now and after today (yesterday, today, tomorrow) the past, the present, the future - in the eons of time. :))))

The cool thing about "bent light astronomy", or "gravitational lensing", is once you learn how, sometimes it is possible to see galaxies hidden behind foreground galaxies .... and get multiple snapshots in different epochs by calculating the difference in the timing of light ray paths.
 

As the August 2018 Watchtower on page 3 points out a profound general principle that cuts on BOTH sides of the sword ... NOT JUST THE SOCIETY'S SIDE ....
"When anyone replies to a matter before he hears the facts, it is foolish and humiliating"  -  Proverbs 18:13
This assumes that the "hearer of facts" has the slightest bit of common sense, which may or may not be the case.
 
Gravity Electricity Wind .mp4

Discuss the question from the title of the topic? Now that's a novel idea. ?
It is a reasonable solution to see the 10-horns and the wild beast as either representing, or some part of the dominant world power at the time of the great tribulation, the fall of Babylon the Great, Armageddon, etc. And it is a reasonable assumption to see the prostitute as false religion. And it seems that God puts a thought into the heart of the ten horns and the heart of the wild beast to give their kingdom to this wild beast until some end predetermined by the God's words will have been accomplished.
Obviously. But is it the same as "biting the hand that feeds us" to discuss whether our current explanation of this chapter is reasonable? Is our end-time-scenario too sacrosanct to question in any way. Or is perhaps now the best opportune time to consider where our loyalties will lie if things seem NOT to be working out as expected? Or is perhaps now the best opportune time to consider the meaning of Jesus words about not being able to work out the closeness of the time of the end if things DO INDEED seem to be working out as expected?
As several people already know, I come at this issue from the perspective that Jesus warned us against trying to look at signs of the times to divine the closeness of the end. It will come as a "thief in the night." Some of us will answer, but we won't be surprised, or in the dark, as someone who is awake and prepared for the thief. That's true, of course, but not because we will be able to figure out the time or season in which the thief will appear. Not because we will be watching for some entity to call out "peace and security." It's because we as Christians will be both patient and ready at all times because we are always looking out that our motivations are pure. Peter says we stay ready by watching ourselves and the type of person we ought to be, and clarifies the motivations behind all our activity in 2 Peter 1:5-8:
5 For this very reason, put forth all earnest effort+ to supply to your faith virtue,+ to your virtue knowledge,+ 6 to your knowledge self-control, to your self-control+ endurance, to your endurance godly devotion,+ 7 to your godly devotion brotherly affection, to your brotherly affection love.+ 8 For if these things exist in you and overflow, they will prevent you from being either inactive or unfruitful*+ regarding the accurate knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. There have always been those persons who think they are doing a favor to fellow Witnesses, or perhaps also highlighting their own faith in the predicted scenario by watching out for any mention of "peace and security" by a Pope, a world leader, or a UN representative. The initial post in this topic goes to a lot of trouble to try to read between the lines for items coming from the UN that somehow indicate that "they" could turn against and attack religion at any time. I think this is unhealthy and unchristian for several reasons. But I've already gone into detail about this aspect in other posts in the past.
This doesn't mean the scenario is impossible, only that Jesus said it was wrong to look for such scenarios as a way to anticipate the closeness of the end or to try to predict the timing his parousia. They might create some fervor and anticipation about the closeness of the end, but they will produce an unchristian motivation.
And, as I've also said, it would not be honest for me to discuss the question at hand without also mentioning that I think the whole scenario should be questioned. And, as I've also said, I think as Christians we are under an obligation to question such scenarios as to whether they are Biblical or even useful.