JOHN BUTLER

I would bet on JWI's linguistic abilities to be far beyond yours, BTK ... LIGHT YEARS beyond yours, as yours are clouded by your agenda driven WDS., even though you may in fact actually be a cunning linguist.
 

I don't think I know everything about the Watchtower, and I don't think I am a professional linguist. The translation problem is a very simple one. These exact types of issues have been pointed out by professional linguists, and Greek language scholars.

.... my scoped rifle is a back-packable breakdown .22 caliber, with a range of about 200 yards.
YOURS is a scoped .50 calibre sniper rifle, capable of shooting 4 miles, and with an effective range of about 3/4 of a mile.
..... reminds me of two Brothers with the same names, on an Ohio bridge, peeing into the river below.
JTR: "Wow, that water is really cold!"
BTK: "Yeah, and deep, too!"
 

... that's why Americans, with their bodies and their blood, with fire and steel, had to save your English butts TWICE, from the Germans.

If you are still planning to "go to war", you will need more resolve, grit, and ACTION. 
Make some guesses and follow up until they fall apart, or are verified.
COMPILE information.
To do that, first you have TO GO GET IT.
Perhaps your wife will (because of your circumstances ..) will have to make the phone calls.
 

Love Never Fails.
... and you don't need three days and 20 videos to explain it.
Remember the Elders that counseled Job for three days?  After three days they had said NOTHING of value, worth recording in what later became Scripture.

I don't know, but I'd need more info on him like his previous address I think. His name is quite basic so could be many men with the same name. I don't know his age either other than my wife says he's old and looks around 60. 

@Foreigner
One person more who are in crusade with down votes today :)))

@Srecko Sostar Sometimes you make me laugh loudly. I must not this morning as my wife is still in bed (at 10am) .  Have a good day my friend. 

Ah so you were bored but not now :) 
And I agree with you about numbering verses. I'm probably as guilty as anyone for taking a vese out of context. 
When we look at Paul's writings as the letters to congregations that they were, the we get a much better meaning from them. 
I would have loved to have met him. A man that wasn't frightened to speak his mind. Not all mamby pamby like the JW Org pretends to be. 
I've always found that the Org here in UK tries to act toooo posh. 
There was an old Elder in the Honiton congregation and he was an ex farmer. Henry was his name.
He would pronounce Honiton as Onitun, and Exeter as Hexeter. Poor man was always being told off by other Elders. But it was him, his character, the man he really was. But it was easy to see the other Elders didn't like it. 
It was so easy to see, and so funny, that congregants would put on a posher voice in the KH. Then once outside or away from the hall, even on the ministry, then would be back to their 'real self'. 
In my opinion God does not want posh. Jesus did not chose posh people for his disciples / apostles.   

Over here in the U.S. we have a national sex offender list that anyone can see for free. It's a list of men or women who have raped children. Do you have the same there?
 

I love it. Galatians is about the best book to do that with because it's so dramatic.
True. There are several widely published translations that don't veer too far from your version here, at least in places.
It can actually do "double-work" as commentary.
Some widely used translations are rather jarring here with expressions like: "I wish the knife would slip."

Quote @JW Insider " His abuse of others. In fact it was an over-the-top eulogy of how great he was with kids and how he was always interested in their spiritual welfare that seemed to trigger a muffled outburst during the talk, and just after the talk there was an argument by others in the family about always keeping quiet about shameful things. It finally spilled over to others outside the immediate family. And this brother's own granddaughter had no idea about it until the funeral. It was a mess! "
CSA, hidden in the JW Org, at it's best then. And even you didn't know or most of the congregation so it seems. Doesn't this actually prove my point on this matter (TTH, no it never happens :) ) 
Quote " As a parent, I admit that I've tended to exaggerate the moral problems of the world myself, and I've learned that this fear-mongering doesn't work at all with high-school kids " 
Thank you for your honesty. But multiply that by 8 million JW's and it gets a bit serious. (TTH, it never happens) 
Quote " choosing bridesmaids. "  Um sorry to do this but JW's being no part of the world and not doing anything that relates to spiritism ect.... The origin of bridesmaids was to frighten or confuse evil spirits or the devil. The bridesmaids would all dress the same as the bride so that the evil spirit wouldn't know which one was the bride in case it wanted to 'attack' her. 
Some sources state that, in ancient times, originally the bride and all the bridesmaids wore exactly the same dress and veiled their faces heavily, for the purpose of confusing jealous suitors and evil spirits. In China during the feudal era, the female womb was seen as precious for the production of an heir. (Wikki)
I'll finish on this one. 
Quote "Of course, some Witnesses had terrible experiences in the world, and the organization has truly provided a safe haven, and a spiritual paradise, relatively speaking."  Hum really ? Safe ? Spiritual ? 
Well most on here know my past experience of the 'world', well some of it anyway. So I do not see the JW Org as any different to the 'world' that JW's warn people about.  And spiritual paradise ? When the GB / writing dept' keep changing the meaning of scriptures and keep adding loads to people's shoulders and not offering even one finger to lighten the load.Aa scripture comes to mind about 'We favour adding no further burden to you other than ... " 
But ignore my moaning, it has been raining here and I have outside work to do, so I'm not happy. However now is time for lunch and food helps me to be happier. Have a good day JWI. 
 

@JW Insider  Won't the Anointed already be in heaven when the judgement happens ?
The separating of sheep from goats (earthly class) will be after the Anointed are taken up surely ? 
Those truly Anointed have surely already been chosen (seperated in a way from the earthly class), although it obviously depends on their true service to God through Christ for all of their earthly life.  
To judge the Anointed again would seem strange to me. 
In my opinion it is only those of the Anointed that can sin against the spirit. Because they are Spirit Anointed and brothers of Christ. But then in my opinion the Greek scriptures were written by and only for those of the true Anointed. 
The idea of the 'early church' that the Bible was only for those 'in charge'  seems basically right to me, but unfortunately they misused that power. 
Imagine just for one moment, a truly Anointed group of 'Spiritual Jews' here on earth, having direct spiritual contact with Jesus Christ, receiving perfect spiritual information (food at the proper time), which they then pass on in an honest and righteous way, to those of the earthly class.  Just imagine those of the earthly class, receiving that perfect information  and going into the ministry with God's blessing through Jesus Christ, to pass on that true God given information to deserving ones in the world............... 
That is where I'm coming from. That is how I think it should be. 

Billy there is no talking with you. You are completely blinded by your worship of those 8 MEN.
It matters not if they say revise, change, alter, new light, or anything else, they still deliberately tell lies. 
They use words to deceive people Billy. AND they change meanings of scripture and misuse scripture too. 
Sorry you are not mature enough spiritually or mentally to face those facts. It's your loss. 

How can you say that the Watchtower society / JW Org / GB dispense truth when they keep changing the meaning of scriptures ? It is not a lie to say they they have changed the meaning of the scripture concerning 'This generation will not pass away' .. It is not a lie that they changed the meaning of the scripture concerning the 'Superior Authorities'. it gets boring repeating this but you obviously don't believe they change the meaning of scriptures. 
They also misuse scripture and misuse their 'authority' but that is another matter. 
The GB have no way of proving that they have been chosen by God to do His will. They admit not to be inspired. They even admit that they make mistakes. If they have the responsibility of 8.5 million lives already, and if they have yet another 9 million bible studies going on, and if they have the job of gathering all those with the right heart condition, then surely they would need to be inspired by God, and surely Jesus Christ would not let them give false information or make mistakes which would stumble thousands of people earthwide and stop some people even being interested in the JW Org.
As for understanding, you only seem to understand the GB's / Watchtower's meaning of scripture, so you prove yourself to be following MEN. 
Sorry Billy but you do make yourself open to criticism by your blindly believing all that the Watchtower / GB tells you. 
 

Billy the Kid puffed up with pride again i see. And back to woshing the GB. 
Either your faith is centered on the interpretation given or it isn’t.  But interpretation given by whom ? 
Ah I see,  If it isn’t, it is due to not having faith in God that he can transmit spiritual understanding on the proper time to those he has chosen on earth.  But i wonder who Billy thinks has been chosen ? 
And then Billy puts it down to : That’s a failure of those that don’t understand, dispense spiritual food at the proper time. 
Poor poor Billy, all he has is his faith in those 8 men. He hangs on their every word. 
I wonder if billy ever gives thought to the point that, if those 8 men don't actually have good spiritual food to give, then why do they give anything at all ?  Giving poison (lies, deceit, misuse of scriptures, dishonesty ) to your brothers just because you do not have good spiritual food to give, is not God's way of doing things. 

@JW Insider 
July 2015 Watchtower simplified edition. Para 16.
Sometime after the attack of Gog begins, all the remaining anointed ones on earth will be taken to heaven. Then Revelation 17:14 tells us about the reaction in heaven  to Gog’s attack. The enemies of God’s people “will battle with the Lamb, but because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those with him who are called and chosen and faithful will do so.” Thus, Jesus, together with his 144,000 anointed kings in heaven, will rescue God’s people here on earth.
17 That rescue will result in the battle of Armageddon, which will bring glory to Jehovah’s holy name....................
So this W/t says all the 144,000 will be in heaven before Armageddon starts.  
But are you saying that the Judgement of the earthly class is prior to this happening ? 
I also remember a scripture at Matthew 24 v 22
In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short. 
How does this fit into the equation ? 

@JW Insider  Quote "So, more recently, the Watchtower stopped discounting the idea about the "rapture."  "
Is this then something else the GB / Writing dept / W/t have changed their minds about. In fact changed meaning of scripture ?  
In honesty how many congregants have a good understanding of all this ? 
I always thought that all of the Anointed would be in heaven at Armageddon. I don't even remember being taught anything different.  I was taught that as each one of the Anointed died they went immediately to heaven... Then the living ones would be gathered up / taken up before the Judgement started. 
I'm more confused than ever now :(    Not that i have any faith in Watchtower / GB teachings anyway, but I like to consider all things. 

@BillyTheKid46  Quote "12 The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.... "
I added the phrase 'by holy spirit' actually. 
What else does God use to inspire people or anoint people or for God to work through people, via Jesus Christ  ?
Matthew 3 v 16
After being baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water; and look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw God’s spirit descending like a dove and coming upon him.17  Look! Also, a voice from the heavens said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.”
Acts 2 v 3&4.
And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed, and one came to rest on each one of them,4  and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak in different languages, just as the spirit enabled them to speak.
Now this becomes even more interesting if we look at the word ERR which the GB or Writing Dept used. Did the GB deliberately use this word err ? Do they understand the implication of it ? 
err /əː/ verb FORMAL be mistaken or incorrect; make a mistake. "the judge had erred in ruling that the evidence was inadmissible" synonyms: make a mistake, be wrong, be in error, be mistaken, mistake, make a blunder, blunder, be incorrect, be inaccurate, misjudge, miscalculate, get things/something/it wrong, bark up the wrong tree, get the wrong end of the stick, be wide of the mark; More     fail to adhere to the proper or accepted standards; do wrong. "he has erred and strayed as many of us have" synonyms: misbehave, do wrong, go wrong, behave badly, misconduct oneself, be bad, be naughty, get up to mischief, get up to no good, act up, act badly, give someone trouble, cause someone trouble; 
 
The second meaning seems more likely. 
 Therefore, the GB can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.... "  It can, do wrong, go wrong, behave badly, misconduct oneself, get up to mischief, and, give some trouble. 
Yep that sounds right.  The GB, for once, admitting they do wrong. 
 

Are yes but the sinners Christ chose were INSPIRED OF HOLY SPIRIT and Christ FULLY OPENED UP THE SCRIPTURES TO THEM. 
You cannot say that about your GB as they say they are not inspired of holy spirit and they admit making 'mistakes'. 

Ah it seems like I've missed all the fun on this topic, but didn't that GB guy in Aus say that it would be "presumptuous to say that the GB is the only channel of communication ?" 
And I'm sure that @Anna can see buy her original question how stupid the idea is. 
Imperfect men yes, but uninspired and often making 'mistakes' (or deliberate wrongdoings) are the leaders of the JW Org and W/t. And people actually follow these guys and serve them ? 

@Srecko Sostar Sometimes you make me laugh loudly. I must not this morning as my wife is still in bed (at 10am) .  Have a good day my friend. 

@Anna (Children with adoptive parents always want to know, or want to search, for their real parents once they come of age).
Oh yes and what problems that has caused my wife and I. I'm stepfather to 4 girls. :( 

Actually this serves to banish boredom.
And in a strange sort of way, I offer this as a Bible teaching tool. Most people quote a verse here or there from Galatians (sometimes I think the guy that invented numbered verses should be hung on a gallows) but if you asked them what the overall book was about, they wouldn’t have a clue. Now they will.
I can picture anyone with sufficient time on his hands reading Galatians 5:12 and saying ‘he said that?’ Of course, he did not, but what he did say was not totally from another planet.