Srecko Sostar

You say that the symbolism of the Bible Students included the pyramid [Great Pyramid of Giza]. You say that this symbolism has nothing to do with JWs You say that meticulously proving 2,520 was the basis for the pyramid I daresay that meticulously proving 2,520 does have something to do with the JWs. However, you are completely wrong about proving "2,520" as the basis for the pyramid anyway.
The pyramid calculations had nothing to do with 2,520 or 607 (606) or 7 times, or even the Times of the Gentiles. Yes, it was utilized to focus attention on 1915 and 1914, and 1874 but it never had anything to do with 2520.

I have it somewhere. Hopefully someone has a link to it online.
It's from a speech by Russell, as reported in the 1913 Convention Report of the International Bible Students.
The commentary here: https://mmoutreachinc.com/jehovahs_witnesses/russell_mason/wasrussellmason.html is as good a place as any to start. The portion above is Russell's long, drawn-out analogy and comparison to show how true Christians are really "Masons" only in a scriptural sense even though they don't belong to any Masonic Order. It's curious that he spent so much time accommodating the Masonic philosophy into his speech. I'm assuming he knew that Masons were in the audience, or he had been recently questioned about his choice of Masonic symbols and language.

In his speech, he continually mixed Masonic teachings with his own “Christian” teachings.  He professed to have close friends that were Masons. 
"I am a Free Mason. I am a free and accepted Mason, if I may carry the matter to its full length, because that is what our Masonic brethren like to tell us, that they are free and accepted Masons. That is their style of putting it. Now I am a free and accepted Mason. I trust we all are. But not just after the style of our Masonic brethren. We have no quarrel with them. I am not going to say a word against Free Masons. In fact, some of my very dear friends are Masons, and I can appreciate that there are certain very precious truths that are held in part by our Masonic friends. I have talked to them at times, and they have said, How do you know about all of these things? We thought nobody knew anything about these things except those who had access to our very highest logic. I said that I had been in conference with the Great Master Workman, the Lord himself, and I have secret information through the Holy Spirit and guidance in respect to what the Bible says, and that contains all the truth, I believe, on every subject. And so if we talk to our Masonic friends about the Temple and its meaning, and about being good Masons, and about the Great Pyramid, which is the very emblem they use, and what the Great Pyramid signifies, our Masonic friends are astonished. One who had been a Mason a long time recently bought a lot of books that had the Great Pyramid discussed, and sent them to I am sure a thousand Masons. He paid for them and sent them out at his own expense. He wanted the Masons to see something about the Great Pyramid. He knew they were greatly interested in that.
Although I have never been a Mason, I have heard that in Masonry they have something which very closely illustrates all of this. It is in riding the goat, etc. And the Bible calls for the goat, you know. The Bible tells you that your goat, which you have to ride more or less every day, is your own flesh. Our Masonic friends have it down very fine. I do not know where they got it so well. I have often wondered where they found out so many of the secrets of our High and Accepted Order of Masonry. From the time you come in to be a member of the Royal Priesthood."
You don’t seem to understand that Watchtower’s leaders are not only double-tongued but adept at creating smokescreens.  Although evidence appears to show no indication that he was registered as a Mason, he was still greatly influenced by Masonry. 
 

What do you mean by fruits?  Jesus tells us it is teachings.  It has nothing to do with visible growth of any kind.  What type of fruit is hanging on the Watchtower’s trees (anointed are compared to trees in scriptures, Ps 1:3; 92:12; Jer 17:8; 61:3;Rev 22:2; Zech 4:3,14) in comparison to the Catholics or other religions?  Are the Watchtower’s fruits truly any better, and is this how we choose who is the ‘better game in town’ by weighing both the good and bad fruits then choosing who has the least ‘bad’ fruit?
“ A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.”  Matt 7:18-20
We recognize all “trees” by the quality and consistency of their fruits.  There is not one Watchtower leader who is a good tree since they either profess false doctrine or support false doctrine.  Their words weigh in heavier than Christ’s words, because they expect every JW to obey their words, whether good or bad. Prov 20:10  They expect every JW to obey them.  Matt 24:48-51
Amid the signs of the end times, Jesus said,  “He answered, “Watch out! Don’t be fooled! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time has come!’ Don’t go after them.” (CJB)  Luke 21:8
These are “christs”, anointed ones deceiving with simply, dates which are false doctrines; starting with Russel.  Rev 13:11
The connection to Luke 21:8 is,
“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,  not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, (from anointed ones) as though the day of Christhad come.”  
Surely, this happened many times over the years to deceive God’s people. To show we are close to the Lord’s arrival, Paul continues,  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thess 2:3,4
Okay.  We’re there, close to the return of Christ.  I can say this with confidence, because the Temple of God is comprised of the living stones - the anointed ones.  How would a man of sin/lawless “sit” in or on the “living stones”, since they are people and not a physical building?  It has happened because the delusion of Satan (2 Thess 2:9-12; Rev 13:6) requires “Gentile” elders to rule over the “living stones”.  Priests are replaced with false priests.  The “Temple” has been defiled, which causes Rev 11:1-3 to commence.(Zech 4:10; Amos 7:7,8)  The true priests are individually being measured according to God’s righteous standards - how their own desirous passions within the heart will react with those standards.  Will they love truth in Christ, or Satan’s lie/delusion?  Should they continue eating fruit from a “tree” that is bad?   
The wolves deceive many, they sprinkle truth with lies, those professing to have a godly devotion but “deny” its power reject the pureness of Christ’s word, a delusion overcomes a large number of people who choose to love the LIE instead of the TRUTH, they are  a people who would shun their own by throwing them out of the congregations for speaking truth in Christ.  (John 16:2; Rev 13:15)  TRUTH comes from a “good tree” that CAN’T produce a lie/bad fruit.
The Watchtower is the delusion…of Satan’s.  In John 4, Jesus was telling the woman at the well, that there would come a time (which was even then) that we wouldn’t worship through our fleshly, earthly desires of what we physically see, but in spirit and truth. 
Spirit and truth:  Both are found in Christ.  And for those branches still attached to the vine; for those trees who produce only good fruit, you will find it in them, when you recognize their consistent good fruits that last. (Perhaps some here may call it, OCD)  They have come out of the delusion, refined of Wt’s sins, and suffered for their testimony to spirit and truth – to Christ and experienced all the results of doing so, that Jesus spoke of for those who defend him and pure truth.  Rev 12:11   The “restoration” of true worship is the restoration of his Temple priests, the “living stones” restored to Christ the Head of the Temple.  Zech 4:6,7
 You will not find it in an established religion that is seen with the eyes – “neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.”  You will find it through the desire to have a personal relationship with God and Christ.  Jesus said, narrow is the road leading to life. It is a path where the focus is on Christ and his teachings; not a broadway leading to “fiery” destruction. (God’s Word is like “fire”, Jer 23:29)  He isn’t the destroyer and neither is Christ.  Satan leads one to destruction, as nothing in this world can give life.)  Wt. pictures of Armageddon show a mass of people walking a wide open road leading to a “paradise” while mankind behind them is being visibly massacred.  They make the claim, stick with the organization and salvation will be granted.  Each claim of theirs is a counterclaim made by Christ.  The true Zion is not seen with the physical eye, but through its “living stones” that speak fruit that will last. A good “tree” would not center on themselves, but on the original Tree of Life – Jesus Christ.   Truth is out there, JTR, and God will see to it that we find it if we are motivated to find it.  When I was in the organization and read Luke 11:9,10, I believed it wasn’t necessary to seek or ask, since the organization seemed to fulfill the scriptures; although I never was searching diligently when the organization found me, (2 Tim 3:6,7; Ezek 13:18; Gal 4:26; Rev 12:15) which didn’t begin until the hypocrisy showed its ugly head, the lies became transparent and disappointment in teachings took me right back to that scripture.  I was not disappointed by doing what it said. 
 
 
 

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons.  Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?  1 Cor 10:21
For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light.  Luke 8:17
Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.  1 John 1:5
 
 
 
 

In Christendom, the Church and or Congregation is consider the body of the Christ (not literal), the Christ is also the head of the church. See it that JWs are still Restorationist Christians, they will say it as such, as do many still present Restorationist Church, who function to do God's will or or pushing out said message; organized religion of said churches, judging by what is taught regarding the Great Commission (Church Movement).

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I think this is the very first time I have completely agreed with Allen Smith ... and it really confused me.  Not his statement ... that was clear enough.
I am a big fan of discarding "feel good" theory when it is contraindicated by hard evidence ... and in this case apparently the 3/4 of the Witnesses he mentions have the same perception.
THAT's the part I agreed with.
... If it walks like, a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck ... self aggrandizing protestations to the contrary are painfully transparent ... end extremely cringeworthy.
When the videos say " ... and the Governing Body loves you ..." it totally creeps me out.
 

BUT your WT study edition said that FDS or GB is not INSPIRED BY HOLY SPIRIT..............
IN  SIMPLIFIED  EDITION WORDING that in fact means that Spirit of the truth NOT GUIDING FDS aka GB and not "shows the road" for WT and JW... as Bible quotation and meaning of that verse you provide would suppose to be. Because GB rejects so called "inspiration from Holy Spirit" as they publicly declared few times in their magazines.   
Thanks for revealing this facets of The Truth about the "Truth". :))
Read please, what you writing as a prove. Because by proving in this manner you proves opposite of your intention.     

...it is not organized religion in form of Jehovah's Witnesses global congregation that running Watchtower and all sister Companies worldwide.  
Or vice versa ....it is not Watchtower and all sister companies that running Jehovah's Witnesses religion.
:))))

"love your enemy" ...  "treat people the same way you want them to treat you" - very good bible principles, highly academically said :))))
"Other than that, its people like you that dumbfound the prospect.""  - also sort of academically  explained reasoning
Did anyone see Jesus incorporated his "movement"? and with 12 apostles established Board of Directors?
sorry for not respond on this... i have lack of inspiration at a moment :))) ...and please, not be confused with my choice of colour :))))))))

yeah, perhaps you are absolutely right. WT are very openly said to their members - do not look for higher education. Do not be "academic" in this way or another. Stick with what we have authorized and you will be safe. Well, what  is for Am Haarets left to do but to downsize their standards from middle level to level of "criticized", not only those who are "academic" but their own religious leaders who are "blind leaders of blind". Not my words, It is written in a one very known Academic book aka Bible. :))

:))))) but we all consider ourselves as Academic citizens, and by that we constitute this Forum to be in such shape :))))) Academic....because we all have something important and very  scholarly to say about almost all issue. Group as such forming quality or not quality in thoughts that was expressed. And this level of conversations constitute or not would be this site academic or not :)))
 

BUT your WT study edition said that FDS or GB is not INSPIRED BY HOLY SPIRIT..............
IN  SIMPLIFIED  EDITION WORDING that in fact means that Spirit of the truth NOT GUIDING FDS aka GB and not "shows the road" for WT and JW... as Bible quotation and meaning of that verse you provide would suppose to be. Because GB rejects so called "inspiration from Holy Spirit" as they publicly declared few times in their magazines.   
Thanks for revealing this facets of The Truth about the "Truth". :))
Read please, what you writing as a prove. Because by proving in this manner you proves opposite of your intention.     

You only consider 25% of Witnesses today to be your spiritual brothers? A bit harsh, no?

For @Colin Browne....  I like the photo colors??  and I like the special, happy, funny moment,  you together with Sputty??   For the NW,  I wish you a see again with Sputty and Sammy? for a long long time !
The same I wish for @James Thomas Rook Jr....  a see again with his many beloved dog's, for long or everlasting time??   Jehovah will decide with love❤️
PS. Also a see again for @Srecko Sostar. and Nero??  and all dog's from @Nicole ??

Yes.....  I  remember  that  photo   Our  Librarian  has  posted  this  story  before  a  longer  time.  Not  all  dogs  equal,  so  by  humans  too !    But  some  rare  ones  are  really  very  devoted,  more  than  many  humans  can  do...   Thats  so  awesome
Thank  you  for  that reminder  photo....

The last photo of Hachik?, the dog who waited for his master's return each day for 9 years until he too passed away.

I do not know about his sadness. He have face like that, and he is also old in this picture. So, not has same enthusiasm as when he was younger :)) 
Resurrection? good idea.
living longer... but died anyway. Not sound happy. But if JW believe they shall live forever as human why would be problem that animal live forever too? Or, as according to present explanation about Adam and Eve and how they looked at animal whose died at some point, as explanation how first humans because of that experience understand what is dead and what looks like the penalty for eating from the tree...then animal will die in this way or another. As for reason of sicken and old or as food.
But that all would be in contradiction to present hopes about verse in Revelation   "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain."
For whom will be no more death, sorrow, crying, pain???? Only humans, not the animals also???? Smell like injustice to me. Or am I too touchy, oversensitive???
But, on other hand, if life would not died in some point of time ...we will not give chance for future babies (human) and pets (animal). Or, we shall must colonize other planets and systems in universe for all that population :))) 

Effect of the braids?

Now when they have only few magazines per year they need to have some extra, additional material to write about. And because all important theme they were already told and wrote, now they must invent some new clear, hot water to talk about and to make deeper spiritual knowledge, insight in the bible for the flock that still stayed inside. :))) 

If you like to cringe and shudder at the new songbook changes ... here is one that will help out.

Every time I see our theology being adulterated by lawyers and accountants, it makes me cringe and shudder.
 

They also say that David, as a shepherd, was out-standing in his field.

I can imagine a situation where it was a sister's fault that the entire songbook had to be updated again. And, although it's pure speculation, it wouldn't be the first time something like this happened. They say it was a sister who got celebrating anniversaries approved. They say it was a sister who got the idea of approving multiple blood fractions. Ultimately it was a sister (Audrey Mock) who got the rule changed at Bethel that if a brother got married, he had to leave Bethel.
In this case, imagine a brother as high up in the hierarchy as the Governing Body itself who has a wife. Now every time this wife sees her husband glancing for too long at a younger sister she knows she can't say anything directly, so she just starts humming the tune of: "O Guard Your Heart, you . . . "  After all, these songs have become the playlist of our lives, and I must have a thousand triggers that immediately get me to start humming any one of a hundred different Kingdom Songs.

I think you'd get on really well. At the mid week meeting last week I asked him what was so outstanding about Bathsheba. He said she was out, standing under the shower.