Srecko Sostar

Having the mind of Christ does not mean we know every thought that Jesus has, especially concerning ourselves.  He is our judge, so why can we judge ourselves as the GB has, by saying they are “faithful and discreet” and demand obedience to their word?    As your quote says, Jesus is the pattern we follow in defense of truth. This is how we have the mind of Christ. If we listen to the folly of men, we have the mind of fools!  (Prov 18:2)
Those who are part of the anointed Body of Christ, listen to our Head, Jesus.  How?  By respecting his word,  by asking for understanding instead of assuming we can make our own thoughts work. Don’t you see that pattern happening over and over with the GB doctrine?  They don’t listen to Jesus, which is extremely apparent from their failed record of teachings.  (Eph 5:15)
What is Jesus saying to the anointed ones? 
 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.
This “fruit” must LAST, not change every few years:
John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.”
You were just given contradictive “fruit” during the Annual meeting.  It had to with the GB and apparently all anointed in the organization being taken up to heaven right before Armageddon.  It was stated that this is a different teaching than 10 years ago. 
S. Herd said:  “We understand now that all of Christ’s anointed brothers will be in heaven with him before Armageddon starts. That’s the understanding that we have today.” 
If this war escalates into what appears as Wt’s Armageddon, (even though they have not announced the great tribulation, as far as I know),  and the GB are still here, what then?  Do you see how he left a way out for further “understanding”, by saying “today”, they have this new understanding?  Today’s teaching will not be tomorrow’s teaching/“fruit”.  Thus….they have been proven NOT to be Christ’s disciples. 
 I think you need to ask yourself just who you are defending; men, or Jesus?  There seems to be a a side of you that wants to be close to God and Christ, and another side that balks at the word of God, at the word of Jesus Christ. 
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49
Did you “hear” what Jesus said about those who prove to be his disciples, producing “fruit”/teachings that LAST - fruit that is not discarded, not removed, but REMAINS. 
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do NOTHING without me.  John 15:5
Can you identify which piece of fruit was sourced in Jesus, that Herd spoke about in his talk – the teaching ten years ago, or the teaching “today”?  What will tomorrow bring if the teaching is altered?  Did ANY of these teachings come from Jesus?  No, because they DO NOT REMAIN.
Did you “hear” that those who do not remain in the Spirit of Christ cannot do “anything”, thus proving they are NOT his disciples, let alone a “faithful and discreet slave" assigned to feed the household of God?
 
Allen, let go of false teachings, and rely totally on the Father and the Son.  Let go of men who do not know their right hand from their left.  Isa 44:20
 
 
 
 

If you are boasting to everyone in the world that you are the "faithful and discreet slave" sent by Jesus, absorbing that title BEFORE he returns to identify that slave (Matt 25:19-21), what would you do to preserve your perceived power over the rest of God’s anointed ones – over God’s spiritual house? (Eph 2:20-22) You would downplay all possibility of a JW assuming that you could become the evil slave in Christ’s parable. Once they put it in writing, it becomes “law” - truth.  The GB had it all planned out.  Why? To be sure that no one will assume the title for themselves, as they have. Although, it has backfired, because it has put the GB in the position of the only anointed one that can absorb the identity of the evil slave. 
In view of the foregoing, what may we conclude? Was Jesus saying that many of his anointed servants would prove unfaithful and need to be replaced? No. Remember, he had just warned his “faithful and discreet slave” never to turn into an evil slave. That did not mean that he expected such an outcome.  wt 15/3/15 p. 16
Truly, it is amazing that the GB can read the mind of Christ.  They not only KNOW that they are the faithful slave over God's household before he tells them so, they also KNOW that the parable is "just a warning".  
Woe to those who go to great lengths
to hide their plans from the Lord.
They do their works in the dark,
and say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”
You have turned things around,
as if the potter were the same as the clay.
How can what is made say about its maker,
“He didn’t make me”?
How can what is formed
say about the one who formed it,
“He doesn’t understand what he’s doing”?  Isa 29:15,16

So funny tom. The money is being used to build Ramapo fairyland and to pay for expences at Warwick.
One thing that always struck me as funny was that the Watchtower Leaders / GB were always saying that JWs should just have very basic jobs and lead a 'simple lifestyle' BUT then the Watchtower mags would say that JWs should always have a nice modern car and nice modern clothes, because they represent the JW Org. 
Now they also tell JWs to drive more miles to get to the KH every week and even more miles to get to an assembly / convention. BUT don't go looking for higher wages or a better job. 
It just shows two things, 1, that the GB want complete control over JWs, 2, that the GB are completely out of touch with the real life outside the Org. 
 

Isn’t the Society building a hundred million dollar movie and video production facility close to Ramapo New York?
I admit I have lost track since Caleb and Sophia graduated from high school, and started working.

Can we drink till we are merry?

I guess those who drive longer and pay more gasoline for more kilometers. :))

Most Croatian citizens are richer than those living in Africa, that is true. But we are actually among the poorer EU countries.
When an ordinary and average JW with a modest income gives money and / or work to build a KH, and then the WTJWorg sells that same hall, without a congregational resolution and without any monetary or material reimbursement to those brothers and sisters, then that is very rude and dishonest. And such examples are not lacking.
Bethel could at least invite them to a barbecue, drinks and cakes to celebrate the sale. :))

I guess those who drive longer and pay more gasoline for more kilometers. :))

Most Croatian citizens are richer than those living in Africa, that is true. But we are actually among the poorer EU countries.
When an ordinary and average JW with a modest income gives money and / or work to build a KH, and then the WTJWorg sells that same hall, without a congregational resolution and without any monetary or material reimbursement to those brothers and sisters, then that is very rude and dishonest. And such examples are not lacking.
Bethel could at least invite them to a barbecue, drinks and cakes to celebrate the sale. :))

In the ancient Israeli congregation, rich people and the nobility had slaves.
In the new WTJWorg congregation, religious leaders have volunteers.
After the volunteer workers invest their labor and money in building the JW hall, GB sells it and keeps the money in the corporation.

You misjudged my feelings. I don’t care in that context, because I’m beyond/outside your JW concept. Drawing “old light” into the light of present time and present context serves to illustrate the WTJWorg context.  
If the historical context is to show that former JW leaders were only in some kind of "theological error", so their false beliefs should not be taken for evil, not to be blamed, then on the basis of such "historical experience" we should expect the same recklessness of today's JW theologian.
Because, why would it be any different? Just because today is 2022, not 1939? What kind of guarantee is that? Today, these JWs are smarter (have spirit) more than their predecessors were before?
So you're suggesting that the truth needs to be adapted to the "historical context"? Then you tear down your own claim, that the truth is always the truth. 
If the context of the event needs to change the conclusion about what is right and what is wrong (true and false), then we have a bigger problem than the one we are discussing.
The context of the event can help in understanding how and why something happened. For example, JW committed adultery. Circumstances of how it came about and what happened next can help someone understand the person and the situation. Will our knowledge of the circumstances (context) of the event simultaneously create our feelings about the person and will some justify him and others condemn him? Probably yes. But what should JW conclude about whether adultery is allowed or not? What does "religious truth" conclude about this?
What should I conclude from that fact? That the truth turned a blind eye to racism and allowed the practice of racism in the JW Congregation because U.S. law legalized the lie about whites and blacks?

Isn't that what Jesus expects of those whom he "sends"?  
John 15:16 - “It is not that you have chosen me; but it is I who have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and bear fruit that will be lasting; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you."
Wt's changes are drastic, never holding the light of truth. Truth at its core, always radiates light in Christ.  It is valid truth.  It can't be argued away as lie.
Of this "truth", there is no core of light to build upon.  It is all a lie -     
1971 "Shortly, within our twentieth century, the "battle in the day of Jehovah" will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom." (The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah; 1971; 2nd ed.; p. 216)
I tried going to the JW website to get more surrounding information.  The book is not available there.  Maybe it held too many "truths" that weren't really truths?  One obvious "truth" that no longer is truth according to your leaders, is the "antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom".  Did you know they erased that as "truth"?
 
 
 
 

You are comparing  the progression of Wt's "new light" to bell bottoms and hair styles?
Well, that about sums it up.  

Matthew 24 : 22
English Standard Version
"And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short."
Well I think this shows that YHWH and Yeshua think the Anointed are IMPORTANT. 
So if you, xero, want to think otheriwise it may be to your own detriment. 
 

I gave you quotes from your magazines that uphold Lett's words, and do not uphold your thoughts on the matter.  That was my point.  There is no distinction between those who reject the JW message at the door as the wicked,  from what the articles say the wicked include - which is all people found outside of the organization.  

Then it is really strange how once the fundamental truth was that YHVH commands the worship of Christ, and now you believe in another truth. Has the biblical text, translation, interpretation, or anything else changed?
https://ia600902.us.archive.org/5/items/WatchtowerLibrary/magazines/w/w1939_E.pdf
 

Then it is really strange how once the fundamental truth was that YHVH commands the worship of Christ, and now you believe in another truth. Has the biblical text, translation, interpretation, or anything else changed?
https://ia600902.us.archive.org/5/items/WatchtowerLibrary/magazines/w/w1939_E.pdf
 

Sorry Arauna but this brings us back to the Superior Authorities scripture in Romans for one thing.
It also brings us back to the number of times the Watchtower / Bible Students / JW Org have made predictions which have not come true.
I find it strange that some on here criticise @Witness for her words but you are happy to allow for your own Leaders to have told lies / make deliberate mistakes / misuse scripture.  I do not see any balance there. 
 

Can we claim that every word, letter, and comma in the Bible is true? I don’t think so, because there are countless copies and there are countless translations and there are countless interpretations of this book. 
Changes to the text were made not only by non-JW experts, but also by the JW individuals themselves who participated in the creation of the several NWT Bible translations.
Since, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then we can also say that the truth is in the subjectivity of each individual. Whether an individual is more or less subject to external influences and creates his own judgment after absorbing all such factors is not always possible to determine. But we can generally agree that sometimes it is difficult to classify a physical reality as truth or falsehood. How often this is in vain in the sphere of the spiritual and moral / ethical when it comes to religious doctrines.
WTJWorg is unfortunately a great example of how “some truth” becomes a half-truth or a complete lie. The history of changed doctrines provides irrefutable proof and confirmation. Your statement should be accurate and true in its very claim and strength, and I adhere to the idea that truth is true and cannot be half-true. But it all falls into the water because people have the tools with which, because of which our common hope turns into futile desire.

As we read this report we do not see any need for “informed consent”. Jesus does not conduct a “biblical study,” he does not condition the acceptance of the doctrine for an act of grace and “salvation” toward these people.
When Jesus, to the one who returned to give thanks, said; "Go, your faith has saved you," then we may wonder what and how long the leper should have learned about God? How long did it take to change his personality to become “Christian”? How many new doctrines did he have to accept? ...,
Those lepers showed interest in basic, good health. This did not stop Jesus from showing them goodness.
Luke 17
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[b] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Shouldn’t they complain?  Wt’s baptism is not based on scripture, it is a doctrine of men – the twisting of Christ’s words.  We have warning after warning not to change the word of God, and it matters not if the Amish baptize into their church.  Making the comparison does not condone the Wt. to do so, especially since your leaders say they strictly follow the scriptures.  This gives good evidence that they do not!
“You abandon the commandments of God to follow human traditions.”  Mark 7:8
Christ gave a commandment about baptizing.  Do we dare think we can change this commandment that comes from the Father?
"All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines."  Col 2:22
"‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me is pointless,
because their teachings are rules made by humans.’ ”  Matt 15:8,9
 
 

What you believe and what you are being taught are two different things.
Soon, now, the wicked world will be destroyed.  “Survival”  chapter 13 p. 98-104
What will end, then? The present “age” of wickedness.  W 74 1/1 p. 4
Soon Jehovah will annihilate all the wicked on earth, just as the Bible says. W 95 2/13 p. 13-17
At  Rev 21:1 “the former earth” refers, not to this planet, but to wicked human society that will be destroyed. W 90 9/15 p. 5-7
Thus, the incorrigibly wicked will be gone, as will all wicked governments, which will be dissolved and replaced by God’s heavenly rule, or Kingdom. W 12 2/1 p. 25
After the wicked are destroyed, Jesus will rule as King for 1,000 years.  Enjoy Life Forever  Lesson 33
According to Lett, the "wicked human society" found outside of the organization, numbers 900 to 1.  He is not distinguishing between those who have rejected the JW message and the rest of human society. 
 
 
 

He told his audience that the wicked who are trying to "assimilate" them into their world, are numbered “900 to one”.  He is labeling all outside of the organization as enemies, people to fear.  And the enemies of JWs will be destroyed in Armageddon.  
I appreciate your opinion, but is it also regardless of what A. Morris thinks?  He put on quite a dramatic performance illustrating how those he hates will be destroyed.
Dear Anna, 
The house built on sand, is a house that is built on wrong teachings, men's doctrines that are always shifting.   There is ample evidence that this identifies your organization as the house built on sand.  Think back from the beginning until now.  
I know elders in the area who laze around and get drunk.  The same elders who hid a child abuse incident from the congregation.  They claim to believe in Jesus.
 
 

One can certainly notice the emergence of one particular generation (various age groups) of JWs that has reached a stage of maturation in which they are ready to tear down the “Berlin Wall” in their organization. At least or primarily on a personal level, while remaining within that same “wall,” more physically than spiritually. Many of your comments here give such an impression and confirmation.
Of course, it is "your" organization and you have the right to it as it is and as you support it and change or confirm it.

I would be interested in your clarification on the similarities and differences between:
being able to make informed decision (about good news represented by JWs
and
to accept the good news (also represented by JWs)
What can save a man? Informed consent or faith in something divine?