Srecko Sostar

I think you misunderstand my use of the term "witness".

@Israeli Bar Avaddhon
Sir, I have put your quotes in green:
My question is: to go where?
Sir, we go to the one who has the sayings of eternal life, which Srecko highlighted with scripture.   It is the Son of God. It isn’t the Watchtower, since the leaders admit to not being inspired and haven’t been since the beginning.  Rev 2:2,9; Rev 3:8-13
Can you see that the disciples followed only Jesus?
“But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  John 6:68,69
Should we go to religions who have taught abominations like the hell of fire, the trinity, the mother of God, innate immortality of the human soul, predestination, limbo, purgatory, and so on?
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:15,16  That includes the Watchtower. 
Any Watchtower errors do not make false religion a little bit more truth.
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
 “Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this (literal) mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.”
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:10,21,23,24
I would be very careful before saying "leave this religion".
“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.  For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.  Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.  In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’  Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.”
This cannot refer to Christendom, because as you say, God’s people are being disciplined.  This refers to the Watchtower, where God’s anointed ones are “camped”.  Rev 20:9
 “Flee from the midst of Babylon,
And every one save his life!
Do not be cut off in her iniquity,
For this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance;
He shall recompense her.
 Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand,
That made all the earth drunk.
The nations drank her wine;
Therefore the nations are deranged.”
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,  and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” Yet, the Watchtower promotes itself as Zion.
 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” John 18:36-38a
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  John 14:6
Is Jesus making an exception to this rule for an organization fabricated through the use of worldly tools and situated in, Satan’s world?  Think about it.  God and Christ are pure, while the organization is filthy rich, and run as other corporate entities are, in Satan’s world.  Why would Jesus use Satan’s resources, who literally wants to kill off all Christ’s anointed brothers (Gen 3:15) and condone anything in this system?  The Watchtower consistently teaches you to be ‘no part of the word’ yet they are so mired down in its dung, JWs see only the icing on the; well,....  It is blasphemy for an organization so full of false prophesy, false security, sin against victims of child abuse,, lawsuits,  and disfellowshipped individuals who desire to follow the truth in Christ – to call itself “the truth” and “Zion”.   
It is the delusion of 2 Thess 2:9-12 and the ‘spirit-breathed’ Beast of Revelation.  (spirit-directed organization)
“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.”  Rev 13:1
Read further and see how this Beast comes against God’s Temple/anointed ones; (1 Cor 3:16,17) accompanied by a false prophet who authorizes the “trampling”.  Matt 24:15; Rev 11:1-3
During the discipline of Jehovah many "fake brothers" will no longer exist. Probably there will not be anyone who has idolized men above the Word of God.  We can not know how many will be, how many will remain.
The faithful to God and Christ are found “outside the camp”, despised as “garbage”, persecuted by their own brethren for following the one Master, Jesus Christ. Matt 6:24; John 15:6; Heb 13:12-15; 1 Cor 4:13; Matt 5:11; 24:48-51
“Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees,
Who write misfortune,
Which they have prescribed
2 To rob the needy of justice,
And to take what is right from the poor of My people,
That widows may be their prey,
And that they may rob the fatherless.
3 What will you do in the day of punishment,
And in the desolation which will come from afar?
To whom will you flee for help?
And where will you leave your glory?
4 Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners,
And they shall fall among the slain.”
For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.
Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.” 
Then the rest of the trees of his forest
Will be so few in number
That a child may write them.”  Isa 10:1-4, 12, 19
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore by their fruits you will know them.  Matt 7:18,20
Please, do not perceive the large print as “yelling”, but to help connect the importance of Christ’s words – although it is a trumpet call to leave the crumbling wall of lies behind. Rev 11:2,3   Ezek chapter 13 is having its second fulfillment. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

7 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said: I am 71 years old, above average intelligence,
I am also above average intelligence. Especially if you are not fussy.

  On 11/10/2017 at 15:23, Anna said: We humans can only judge what we see or hear about. Jehovah judges the heart.
Gnosis you put Confused symbol on Anna's quot, And then i ask you what confusing you about her quote. And now in your comment you are talking about me and my personality but nothing about what primarily i addressed to you. What sort of problem is between us? Or you are just full of angry?
You, and some other people, gave me plenty of Downvote symbol and i had never reacted to that. I respect your and other people's emotions and decisions. But Forum has mainly purpose that people  comments emotions and thoughts and decisions. So please, continue  
My way of thinking, spiritual and  mental  state, and  state of soul is/are NOT to downvote any of your or other people comments. And by such behaviour I prove, give testimony in public way, that what you try to show, prove only with empty words like this one:   "You're entitled to your opinion, as much as I’m entitled to mine. If you don’t like it? that’s your problem."
I have no problem to, if feels need for that, to comment on other people's thoughts. Your Emoticon symbol is your thought, your opinion, your statement. And i comment exactly that. You chose to have false name, some kind of nickname Gnosis Pithos. My name is real name and Sre?ko have real meaning "Lucky, Happy, Felix". Your choice to introduce yourself before Forum with Gnosis, I guess, have to give to others some message, some sort of your attitude, your wishes, your hopes, your mental profile. That is nice, and why that make problem for you, if I started communicate with you by put accent on such thing?  

That would be the sin of an adulterous harlot, the true apostates, which the early Jewish leaders were in Christ’s day, and the spiritual “Jewish” leaders are, in the organization today.    Matt 12:34; Matt 23:34,35,37; 1 Cor 6:15,16; Rev 13:11,13-17; 17:5,6 
 

only NWT say "apostate"
other translations have not such word!! they use; hypocrite, godless, feigner
be careful about NWT translators  this is just one example of change

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Oh, I thought you would provide some examples from scripture.

You know, some might feel that this gives the NWT an edge, particularly when one uses other translations for comparative study. Koelher and Baumgartner link apostasy with the word used here.
I think the word "apostate" fits quite well with the activity described in the proverb in following the example of the arch-apostate. I mean apostates are godless, hypocritical feigners, particularly those who want to impart their ideas to others as "enlightenment" wouldn't you say?
Actually, I rather like the reference in Mclintock and Strong regarding this one: "soiled (i.e. with sin), impious:-hypocrite"
Now, would that be ordinary or extra-ordinary sin?

Dear Srecko, if you read and understand half of what I wrote, you will understand that there is no need for me to answer a single word.
The scriptures are all and anyone who, if he wishes, can meditate on these scriptures.
The people of God are one and only one who brings the name of Jehovah and preaches "the good news of the Kingdom" throughout the earth.
I only know one.
Talking to who's angry or wanting to have the last word is not useful to me.
Everyone should make their own evaluations - John 17:17

I am 71 years old, above average intelligence, and have been paying attention for over 50 years ... I know the difference ... and can filter the good from the bad from the ugly.
Not everybody has these advantages, and these I cry for .... they are being chased away and persecuted from within.
I analyze the questionable substance. isolate it, and TRY to avoid it.
Sir Isaac Newton, arguably the smartest natural human that ever lived .... believed as Jehovah's Witnesses do about the 15% Core Truth, based on reason and logic and common sense, and the Bible alone.
Even he got sidetracked with Alchemy, and politics.
.
 

Gnosis Pithos 9 hours ago  
 
Dear Gnosis is the common Greek noun for knowledge (??????, gnôsis, f.).[1] The term is used in various Hellenistic religions and philosophies.[2][3] It is best known from Gnosticism, where it signifies a knowledge or insight into man's real nature as Divine, leading to the deliverance of the Divine spark within man from the constraints of earthly existence.
What confusing you in this simple, clear and truthful Anna's quote??? !!! 

i agree, but here i made observation on/about specific position that FDS have or position that they think they have
:))))) so apostates are in no way different than any other ordinary sinner, hahaha
yeah, that is field for manipulation from the all involved, from both sides of table.

WT GB have this official ideas, and as i have read from comments above from few of you, you as JW members have different visions about the same issue. Some of you are cautious and careful, some of you are judgmental and some of you thinking how this is slipy area and depends on personal view and own retrospective of his actions. 
How with idea that only persons who are appointed by holy spirit aka FDS or GB can made such sin, because they received, as some interpretations of Bible verses said, they received holy spirit and by that are in position that is seriously different then of other "ordinary, earthly class christians"??
From official JWorg standpoint expressed in down quotations, i see that ALL possible human sins can be SIN AGAINST HOLY SPIRIT. So, you have not much space to escape punishment. You need to be in state of repentance all the time.  But according  to instructions from elders "Shepherd book" if elders determine that you are not repented enough, according to their visions, you have very good chance to stay in sin that is in fact sin against holy spirit. 
"What sins are not forgiven? To answer this question, let us consider some Biblical examples. This should prove comforting to us if we are repentant but are still sorely distressed over our serious errors. We will see that it is not so much a matter of what kind of sin a person has committed; rather, it is the motive, the heart condition, and the degree of willfulness involved that determines whether a sin is forgivable or not."
7 What if we have sinned but are unable to pray because our sin has made us spiritually sick? In this regard, the disciple James wrote: “Let [such a person] call the older men of the congregation to him, and let them pray over him, greasing him with oil in the name of Jehovah. And the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well, and Jehovah will raise him up. Also, if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.”—James 5:14, 15.
19 What might contribute to the feeling that we have sinned against the holy spirit? Overconscientiousness or a weak physical condition may be factors. In such a case, prayer and added rest may be helpful. ....I HAVE been obsessed with the thought that I have sinned against the holy spirit.” So wrote a woman in Germany, although she was serving God. 
20 Any who fear that they have sinned against the holy spirit might ask themselves: ‘Have I blasphemed against the holy spirit? Did I genuinely repent of my sin? Do I have faith in God’s forgiveness? Am I an apostate who has rejected spiritual light?’ Very likely, such individuals will realize that they have not blasphemed against God’s holy spirit, nor have they become apostates. They are repentant, and they have abiding faith in Jehovah’s forgiveness. If so, they have not sinned against Jehovah’s holy spirit.
What sins are not forgiven? -
1)First-century Jewish religious leaders who maliciously opposed Jesus Christ were sinning against the holy spirit. 
2)Consider also the case of Judas Iscariot.
What sins are forgiven? -
1) David and Bath-sheba. God forgave
2)The extent of Jehovah’s forgiveness is also illustrated in the case of King Manasseh of Judah.
3)the apostle Peter sinned grievously by denying Jesus.
quotes from JWorg library

The reason I still "throw my hat into the ring" with Jehovah's Witnesses, is that I do not expect much from human beings ... and even less when billions of dollars are floating around completely unaccounted for .... but the 15% Core Truths are so VALUABLE, that I am willing to allow "my hat" to be stomped into the mud by those marching to the 85% drivel.
I will endure it ... but that does not mean I have to like it.
I like it even less for all those kind, gentle souls who in obeying their natural conscience, have been chased away by the 85% drivel, wielded with a steel fist in a feathered, velvet glove.
.

Thank you, Anna.  I really couldn’t belief he thought I didn’t watch the video, thus I didn’t respond regarding it.
You say, “obviously, from an apostate”.  You must mean, according to Watchtower’s definition, no? Not according to scripture?   Doesn’t this mean that within the organization itself, there are many hidden apostates who refused to accept 1975?  In fact, if they reject any doctrine, such as “overlapping generation”, wouldn’t they also be apostates? 
If anyone leads another through false predictions and teachings, they themselves are apostates; and for those who gulp these teachings down, they become apostates also, according to scripture. (Gal 1:8,9; 2 Tim 4:3-5) Where does that leave the entire membership of the organization, but as a confusing plethora of apostates?     Ezek 2:6; Jer 51:7;Rev 2:20,21
By such definitions, no one should be speaking to each other in the organization, but it is those who stand up for truth in Christ and speak it, that are labeled and “killed” as an apostate. Mark 13:13; John 16:2; Matt 25:6; Heb 13:13; Rev 11:3,7-10; Luke 17:33,37
 
 
 

Nana,  how does this defend a false prophesy, or perhaps that isn’t your purpose?  Dan 7:25; Matt 24:36; Matt 16:1-4  I think @Matthew9969 is pointing out that 1975 was preached to be the end of mankind as we know it - Armageddon.   

What about the "nourishing spiritual food" of 1975?  Do you have a comment, or do you prefer to avoid the topic at hand?

All that you are pointing out were quotes from the organization.  But you know that, right?  Matthew's words are:
IT'S AMAZING HOW YOU CAN TAKE THE WORDS "6,000 YEARS OF MANS EXISTENCE WILL END" AND MAKING IT END IN 1975 AND CONCLUDE THAT IT REALLY DIDN'T SAY THAT AT ALL.
 
 

Did the vast majority of JWs come to the conclusion that 1975 was the date of Armageddon – on their own? 
How did these people come to the realization of the world ending, unless they were convinced that the leaders in control understood Bible chronology?   Consider global warming; whether you believe it or not, you are relying on the scientific experts to tell you what’s happening with the planet; but in this case it doesn’t affect your relationship with family and friends if you choose one side or the other.
Surely you see the confusion by individuals reading the various articles and references to the date, as well as hearing live talks -  all coming from “Jehovah’s organization” and his “mouthpiece”.   
There was a 14% growth in member in 1974.  Why?   I am sure you know why.
By 1976 the growth rate dropped to 4%. 
In 1977, it dropped further, -1%
“Expectation postponed” made their hearts so sick, that many realized the Watchtower was not an organization run by God. 
How do you dismiss scripture, Eoin?  How do you read God’s word that condemns false prophets and ignore it?  Was there ever an instance that God told the nation of Israel to tolerate it?  Think of the generations of JWs that have put up with false dates and changing doctrine; hanging on because the authority over them so thoroughly convinced them it was “Jehovah’s will”, that they remain faithful to the organization!
 “And the Lord said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart. 15 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not be in this land’—‘By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed! 16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; they will have no one to bury them—them nor their wives, their sons nor their daughters—for I will pour their wickedness on them.’”  Jer 14:14-16
Isn’t this exactly what the organization teaches, that no sword or famine will come upon the Watchtower?  If we take all of this with a grain of salt, then we are blind to God’s righteous expectations to follow his Word closely.  Ezek 14:21; Rev chapter 6
It appears you are attempting to defend a sinking ship.  I truly pray you get off before its too late.
 

The idea that 1975 would witness the end of the world was first introduced in 1966.

IT'S AMAZING HOW YOU CAN TAKE THE WORDS "6,000 YEARS OF MANS EXISTENCE WILL END" AND MAKING IT END IN 1975 AND CONCLUDE THAT IT REALLY DIDN'T SAY THAT AT ALL.

Some were. I was there in 1975 and I was not looking to a date. That was because some were not. So I can't see an issue of any significance any more than expectation postponed makes the heart sick. Were you there? Did you attach too much to human chronological speculation at the time?

"Do not work for food that spoils; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life. This is the food which the Son of Man will give you, because God, the Father, has put his mark of approval on him.”  John 6:27

“Nourishing Spiritual Food”? 
I cannot advocate the website listed at the end of this short video, as I haven’t gone there.  Also I do not see verification that the money from the sale of houses, properties and goods was given to the Watchtower at that time period.  But I will not dismiss the large possibility.  What is important about this video, is hearing how 1975 was truly proclaimed from the source; quite contrary to how the 2017 convention presented it: 
“…you see, back then, some were looking to a certain date as signifying the end of this old system of things. A few, even went so far as selling their homes and quitting their jobs. (km 5/1974)"
“But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.” 
 You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?”  When a prophet speaks in Yahweh’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.              Deut 18:20-22
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are making you worthless. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the LORD's mouth.”  Jer 23:16
“Behold, I am against the prophets, says Yahweh, who use their tongues, and say, He says. 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, says Yahweh, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I didn’t send them, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, says Yahweh.”  Jer 23:31-32
If we claim to read God's Word and live by it, then God's Word should help us distinguish truth from lies.  Matt 3:10
 

To be fair, the watchtower isn't the only religion to claim they are a prophet and give one if not a few dates of the end of the world: