Kick_Faceinator

D. Splane did say that this is war.  Only one side of this war is blessed with Holy Spirit; that is, the side that defends only God’s word – Jesus’ teachings, and God’s sovereignty.  The other side must defend their actions in court, their failed teachings, doctrine of men, their hidden child abuse/spousal abuse, their organization.  How do they defend their “side”?  By telling those associated with them who may have doubts…
#1 - Be like the Bereans (Acts 17:10,11), which means go to a meeting, get to know the brothers, visit Bethel. Did you notice he never mentioned that the questioning one should research a teaching topic on the website? (such as "this generation" teaching) That would send him into confusion! 
#2 - Don’t be like Bereans, which means don’t read anything that an “apostate” has to tell you, “to see if this is so”.  Don't believe anything they tell you.  
There is too much power over others, a cushy life, admiration from followers, earthly motives to expand their empire…all is just too much to lose on the side of the GB.
I have nothing to lose in this war. 🙂  Mark 8:34-38
 
 
“

I am sorry, but wish to react with illustration connected to real JW life. 
When WTJWorg religious leaders replace one theology with another, then it is also called “loss of credibility”. JW members who reluctantly accept the new theology, along with GB, are losing credibility, too.
Take for example the teaching of “generation”. From a logical point of view, the previous concept seems more acceptable. You set a chronological reference point (1914), determine the lifespan of a generation (70-80 years), and establish the claim that it is this generation that will not die before the Kingdom is established.
Now, all JWs (with exceptions, of course) have abandoned their own credibility into a doctrine that had a fundamental value for everyday life, both literal and spiritual. And what have you achieved with that? This is a question you need to think about well.
"Everyone else in the world" are not so much in lose if few sentences are in the Bible or not or if they don't know how generation issue have new interpretation in JW religion.  

Please note the question mark at the end of the sentence. Do you know what it means ?
It means that the sentence was a QUESTION. It was not a statement. It was not a teaching. Not a doctrine. 
Imagining that. BUT Not teaching it as fact. 
The Watchtower / GB teach things as facts by pretending that they are the F&DS. 
You deliberately want to hide yourself from the difference. So you basically misuse scripture which in turn loses you credibility. 
You need to think on this. The 'missteps' (lies) of your GB / Watchtower / Org, are condemning people to death.
 Luke 17 : 1 & 2 
Berean Study Bible
Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 

GB Gerrit Loesch:  “Today the faithful slave was put in charge of providing spiritual food for God’s people who number into the millions.  The slave also shows complete trust in Jehovah that he will guide them with his holy spirit.  What makes it possible for the faithful and discreet slave to provide precious spiritual food?
“I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go"  says Jehovah.  Ps 32:8 
Today Jehovah provides direction to the slave through Jesus.  Jesus in turns provides direction for his people through the faithful and discreet slave.  We can have therefore, full confidence in the scriptural insight, understanding and guidance.
Since 1919 of our common era the slave has been put in charge of some belongings of Christ.  According to Matt 24:47, when the anointed are taken to heaven, Jesus will at that point entrust all his belongings to them.  Does this not reveal immense trust?
So whom do you trust?  You fully trust in Jehovah, Jesus and the faithful slave.” 2015
 
“For many years, we have applied that prophecy symbolically to the way in which Jehovah’s people, like an unstoppable swarm of locusts, engage in their preaching activity. We understood that this activity has devastating effects on the “land,” or the people who are under the control of the religious leaders.
However, when we consider the prophecy in its context, we see that a different understanding is appropriate.”  April 2020 study edition
 
How long will JWs continue to "fully trust" men who presumptuously and arrogantly call themselves "faithful and discreet" before Jesus makes that judgment upon his return?  (Matt 25:21)
Other translations for "discreet" use, "wise, trusted, sensible", none of which can apply to the GB.
It would have been a wise and sensible move to have read the entire book of Joel "in its context" before assuming that this army was God's holy people.  
 
 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.    (2 Cor 10:17,18)
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yes, your blind leaders gave that illustration of lions.   Remember, it is the same leadership who for years believed God’s anointed were Joel’s locusts, but you still put your trust in them.    You may want to search the scriptures to find for yourself just one instance where locusts, and especially a swarm of locust, have even one redeeming quality. 
Both the locusts in Joel and Revelation give emphasis on their ability to eat and destroy with their teeth.    
Joel 2:6 - A nation has invaded My land,
    a mighty army without number;
it has the teeth of a lion,
    the fangs of a lioness.
Rev 9:7-11 - The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
“ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”  1 Pet 5:8,9
“devour” - to drink down, i.e. gulp entire (literally or figuratively):—devour, drown, swallow (up).
Who does Satan come against in Revelation?  Jesus’ “kings” under the New Covenant promise/”woman”, who are not sealed.  (Rev 1:5)
See: Gal 4:24,26; Rev 9:4; 12:15; 16:13-17
Jesus, as the Lion of Judah does not destroy people, but only death. 1 Cor 15:26  He does not use deception, as if to capture a prey. Col 2:8; Rev 13:10
Rev 5:5 - "Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
“overcome” – “conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.”
The victory over death by the sacrifice of his life. 
You leader’s comment regarding the mention of both Jesus and Satan described as lions to validate his argument that there can be a good locust army, and a wicked locust army, is futile.    A locust swarm has only one characteristic, which is to eat and decimate land, and as the scriptures symbolically point out, it includes people, who refuse to repent from the works of their hands, as is the case in Joel. 
“Let the priests, who minister to the Lord,
Weep between the porch and the altar;
Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord,
And do not give Your heritage to reproach,
That the nations should rule over them.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’ ”  Joel 2:17
The locust “army” that rules over the nation of “Israel” today, and that wears “crowns” (Rev 9:7) is the nation of “Gentile” elders, who rule over the anointed ones/”Israel” – blaspheming the sanctuary of God by putting His anointed “in their place”, using lies about them to do so.  Rev 13:5-8   The organization/idol is far more important to all JWs, than God’s Temple/House of “living stones” in the anointed priesthood.  1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22
“So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Rev 13:4
 
But, Arauna, we’ve been down this road before, haven’t we.  And even though you have seen that your leaders preach a “truth” that never was a truth, you continue to support them, and the rotten fruit they teach. Matt 7:15-20  Their failed teachings never brought one iota of quality spiritual "life" to the poor JW who swallowed them down.  

@Patiently waiting for Truth said in a recent closed topic about the identity of the locust in Joel   - "The Watchtower / JW Org / GB, here admitted that what they had been teaching was FALSE."
Yes! For years!  Noting this error has astounded people of other religions in the world.  But, JWs believe they have the "truth", that they live and teach the "truth" ...that their preaching work is "truth"...and that the GB are guiding this organization...in truth. 
Is this truth based on just a few core teachings?  Apparently so. 
As Jesus said about the Pharisees,   "Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" Matt 23:24
 
 
 
 

It appears you removed part of your comment... never mind.  I found it in another comment - 
"There is plenty of reason to not believe it. Though Jesus forgives sin frequently in scripture, there is always some evidence of repentance on the sinning one’s part. There is some basis for forgiveness. Here there is not."
  Well, it is true that the Wt. cannot tolerate these "spurious" scriptures because they would diminish the power of disfellowshipping.  
Jesus knew the heart of each person that he met.  He could read the heart of the woman "who led a sinful life" in Luke 7:36-50, and he forgave her.  (Matt 12:25; Luke 6:8; John 2:25)  It is impossible for your leaders to accept the passage of "mercy" in John 7-8 as @Pudgy called it, because there was no visible evidence of remorse over the woman's sins.  Elders, as you well know, cannot read a person's heart.  So they judge in error, many times destroying the lives of the person they have judged.  Jesus could never judge a person's heart in error.   Not only have JWs checked the hand of God in HIs ability to bring this passage to light,  but also is the hand of Jesus Christ.  JWs find it impossible for Jesus to forgive the woman so easily in the account. 
"Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."   Rom 13:10
"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'”  Gal 5:14
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right."  James 2:8
This "law" was set up by God of the "Old Testament".  Yet, the Wt "law" that is set up through the hands of "Jehovah's organization", does not react with love.  It reacts through the power of men over others.  It reacts through selfish desires.  
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."  Col 1:15  This means that even the God of the "Old Testament" would have forgiven and saved the woman from death, at the hands of the lying Pharisees. 
 
 

I really don't know why you expect people to jump at your command.  I gave you a link to a comprehensive article.  I have given my opinion on the scriptures.  You have given yours.  If that is not good enough, nothing will be good enough for you - a man who demands obedience to his rules.  Sheesh, SM, this is a forum of opinions, thoughts and feelings, and facts.  Whatever you contribute, I'm fine with it, but don't expect me to follow your lead!
 

Do all "Trinitarians" think alike?  Do all "Anti-Trinitarians" think alike?  Obviously not.  This is one "Anti-Trinitarian" that believes John 7:53-8:11 is a true account, and the account has nothing to do with the trinity.   I so appreciated how you described the qualities of Jesus Christ, but even though we are both “Anti-Trinitarians”, I don’t believe in all that you believe. You have to accept that.  In fact, I think you tend to focus on the worldly and not on the spiritual. You apply earthly concepts to the meaning of prophecy as JWs do, which comes through the eyes of a “natural man”.  (1 Cor 2:14)
 I very much appreciated how the link I provided was laid out clearly for me, even though the writer may be a “Trinitarian”.  So, what am I to do, shun all Trinitarians even though there may be some truth to their words in other topics?  If I am to shun all Catholics, I should be shunning my brother and his family and all of his friends.  Yet, my Catholic sister-in-law has worked in the soup kitchen for many years, providing for the homeless.  I am not in charge of reading her heart, or the hearts of my family.  They accepted me for my “anti-trinitarian” + Watchtower beliefs…for years. My sons are now agnostic. Should I shun them because they fit in some category?   Their judgment is in the hands of God, as is mine.  I am not in charge of reading the hearts of all "Trinitarians"; are you?  
 I am an “Anti-Trinitarian” as you say, as are the people I have come from.  I don’t shun them for not believing in their organization, but they shun me for my actions/words against it.   Can you see how lumping people into a specific group of "trinitarian" and "anti-trinitarian", is going a little overboard?   It is just another form of bias.
This is the time of confusion, which will eventually be cleared up for all righteous-hearted people, who will come to the knowledge of truth.  Isa 2
 

You live in a spiritual haven where love can be turned off at the drop of an announcement - "disfellowshipped!"  So I understand why you are so adamant that these scriptures are "spurious", never to have been added to God's word at any time over history.    And, it can't be dismissed that its presence in your Bible would be a challenge to overcome, if a JW brought them up in a judicial meeting. Because it isn't in there, it makes life for your judges so much easier to follow their rules, instead of the law of love in Jesus Christ.
 
 
 
 

https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/kingdom-interlinear-greek-translation/books/
https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/
I am using the 1985 version of this Interlinear Greek translation by Watchtower, and I'm wondering if there is an updated version or a better version I could be using.  I have hard copy of this, but also I found one on the JW Org website but it didn't have a date of publication, so i don't know if it's a newer one. 
Also is there a Watchtower approved translation of the Hebrew scriptures ?
A couple of points though.
As you will know I believe the scriptures are for the 'true' Anointed and that when Jesus is ready (Jesus has all authority) He will provide Holy Spirit to those of the remnant to guide God's people to truth. 
Secondly, the words of Jesus recorded Matthew 11 : 25
Berean Study Bible
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
My thinking runs in line with this scripture above. That God reveals the meaning of scripture to whom HE chooses, and that Jesus now does the same. 
Hence with all the deep discussion on this forum and those on here that consider themselves wise and learned, I tend to think that no matter how much research one does, and how much one studies languages ect, only God through Christ will give true knowledge. 
However that does not mean i should be lazy or not study God's word. What it means to me is that I should not expect to understand too much or too deeply. 
Hence, back to the point, Interlinear Translations that can be trusted ????? And the most up to date ? 
All information welcome, thank you. 
Oh and to confess, I still haven't learnt to use Strong's properly yet, but I keep trying.  

@Srecko Sostar That is a really great explanation and yes, it proves the dangers of that type of 'teaching'.
We know that people like to have their ears 'tickled', and it seems the GB have found a way of tickling people's ears.
In fact it seems a very dangerous way forward. The idea of moving away from God's written word. Replacing God's word with play acting. We know that the GB speak falsely when they give talks. How much more will these plays be false. 

Hi again. An example that compares JW’s dramatization of biblical text with “original biblical text” from generally accepted manuscripts (or ... text available as biblical, to be more precise in words) is an indication of how certain past events can be used in a way that "enrich" existing biblical text with a broader account/description of what allegedly happened, and these are words and actions, for which there is no evidence that it really happened. But in the minds and feelings of observers at the JW Congress this will leave an impression given and foreseen by the writer of the modern conversation attributed to characters from the past.
Consequently, the so-called official biblical text of the book itself (with or without certain parts in dispute) gets a new sound. It gets an addition in the form of words spoken by a JW actor that do not exist in the Bible. But after listening to the “biblical drama” these fictional words slowly become an integral part of the beliefs and doctrinal guidance of believers as if they were indeed uttered thousands of years ago and as if they were truly the word of God.
A virtual, "new Greek Scriptures” is being created in the memory of believers, because it will become an interpretation, a description, a picture of events from the past that should become an example of how to live today, because that is how faithful people in the past allegedly spoke and acted. That's the connection.

I can easily see that …. Perhaps …. The reason it was omitted from the earliest manuscripts is that elements of the first century “church” realized that if forgiveness was so freely given, it would subvert the authority of the rapidly developing corrupt precursor to what would become the Catholic Church. 
It is just a guess on my part, but the Scripture about Jesus forgiving the adulterous woman would subvert the grip the corrupt “Elders” were trying to establish as God’s sole representatives, in the same way that the concept of a burning “hell of torment” did, in reverse.
Perhaps (?) centuries later, this omission was corrected, when those political influences that had the scripture removed were not as strong, and immediately dangerous. 
 
For me, I believe the Scripture is the words of Jesus, because contextually, there is no reason to believe they are not the words of Jesus. 
 
The ONLY thing I can see that anybody would gain by spuriously inserting that text is ….. Nothing!

Yes, you are right. Also, many or most people don't think WTJWorg and JW people are the only true religion.   

I thought that what @Patiently waiting for Truth did here was excellent. He didn't give a miniature summary of the passage, but he used other scriptures to show that the idea was very feasible.
Also, "Patiently" (calling himself 4Jah2me at the time) had already brought up the point about this being a potentially spurious passage several months ago. SM has brought it up several times.
 

I agree with the above logic and reasoning, and because it answers the question “why?”.
Yeah. 

For anyone interested, here is a very fair, well written article about its possible position in the scriptures, including lists of early manuscripts that included it.
https://www.notjustanotherbook.com/disputedjohn.htm
From the article:
"People who make up stories tend to have too many details or are completely vague with almost no specifics. Here this passage has the details expected from an eye-witness. For example, someone on the sidelines would record Jesus writing on the ground, but not specifically what He was writing. Certainly this account is in harmony with how Jesus is characterized and acted throughout the gospels. It is most probable that this was an authentic episode in the life of Jesus.
If this passage was a forged or invented account, a huge question would be "why?" Unlike the Gnostic and heretical forgeries that arose in the time of the apostles and continued into the first centuries of the church, this account does not contain any new and aberrant doctrine, nor does it contradict any other teaching of Scriptures. In fact, if it was created by a heretic, it has never surfaced in any heretical or alternative gospel. There's no evidence it's a fraud."

I believe the story of Jesus forgiving the adulterous woman to be entirely consistent with everything else in the New Testament, without exception, and that is why when I go out in Service, use a Bible with those scriptures included.
I used to make rough drafts of essays on index cards, before my first drafts, and later final working transcripts, and then final edits ..... I used to use 3"x5" index cards.
I suspect back in the Apostle's days it was even more important as they were writing on leather with ink. (Think about THAT, willya?). Not just the final Epistle, but outlines and notes.
(Visualizes a small leather "Post-It Note"stuck to the wall with diluted boiled sinew glue, and it fell off, and slipped behind the writing table ...)
I consider the "deleted" scriptures to have possibly been on one of the Apostle's notes, found later, and inserted at a reasonable location, because the copiest made the same determination I did.
Further, I believe that the REAL reason the NWT leaves it out is that it would erode the authority of the GB and Elders, who constantly need to reinforce their management authority.
Like the story of the Quantum Physicist at the Bar, buying drinks for himself and the empty seat beside him, in any analysis of ANYTHING ... I try to ask "What is the most PROBABLE scenario?"
Opinions and results may differ ....

As far as I could notice regarding other Jesus stories (chapters of Luke before and after the story of Lazarus), illustrations, parables, and similar descriptions, one could say that they have elements that were real (that happened to someone, somewhere), or would could be real in everyday life (which will happen, they could happen to someone, somewhere). If Jesus did not believe in an immortal soul and hell, and neither did the Jews who listened to him, then I do not see real need, why Jesus would use “pagan” motives to give lessons to the Jews. 
I can answer, at least, on two ways on this. 
A) If Jesus was brave enough to tear down the tables of the merchants in the Temple and make them flee, then I see why it would not be possible for him to deal diplomatically with a multitude of hypocrites, fanatics, seduced believers, self-proclaimed righteous and influential religious leaders.
B) There are also, in fact, many other things that Jesus did, which if ever they were written in full detail, I suppose the world itself could not contain the scrolls written. - Lk 21:25

They are not found in the two earliest available papyri ....
This sentence does not claim that it will not be found one day. This sentence does not claim that subsequently found text will not be considered “inspired text”.

My point was that Jesus could have done so. I never said Jesus did so in that scripture. 
But i see you are treating this all as a game. Trying to score points for SM.  So be it. 
Yes this forum is probably a game, but serving God through Christ is not a game. 
 

Did it ever occur to you that the early scribes may be have been at fault for leaving out this passage, and that God made sure it was replaced, especially for our sake in the last days?  Read it, and notice what Jesus was speaking about in the temple before the event with the adulterous woman took place. 
"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."  John 7:37,38
At dawn of the very next day, he was teaching in the temple courts. The Pharisees brought in the woman, attempting to trap him with their questions. Notice, Jesus bent over and wrote in the dust. (John 8:6) We have a reference of another writing in the dust, and the connection to "living water".  
"Lord, you are the hope of Israel;
    all who forsake you will be put to shame.
Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust
    because they have forsaken the Lord,
    the spring of living water."  Jer 17:13
The majority of the Jews rejected Jesus Christ as the source of living water.  They preferred the "yeast of the Pharisees".  (Matt 16:11,12)  Today, the same is happening in your organization.  "Living water" in Jesus Christ is polluted by doctrines of men.  (2 Thess 9:9-12; Heb 12:15; Rev 8:10,11)  Judgment is made against individuals by your laws in a book compiled by men.  Do they dare cast the first stone, these men who have trampled down the Temple of God, assuming God has assigned them to shepherd the people above and beyond His priesthood?  (Mark 13:14) (Mal 2:7; 1 Cor 6:1,2)
Do you prefer the "yeast' of the GB over the living water in Jesus Christ?
 

I don't think you are clearly seeing what Jesus is saying in Matt 10:23.   
I’m sure you agree that “good news of the Kingdom” has been spread throughout the earth since the early apostles’ day.  But Jesus is telling his future anointed disciples about a direct preaching work to the “towns of Israel” – to the Israel of God.   This message cannot reach all before the return of Christ, because of resistance against it.  There is a lockdown of the flow of spiritual food.  There is a warning given by your leaders that any message that comes from outside the organization, is false. Listening to such a message can result in one's condemnation contrived by men.  Dan 11:36; Rev 13:5-7; 11:1,2   Rev 13:15-17
Who is “Israel” today?  Rom 9:6-8; Gal 4:26,28;1 Pet 2:5,9,10; Gal 6:15,16; Heb 8:10; Rev 7:4
Why do they receive the message?  Matt 24:9-12, 15,16,23-24; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Tim 4:1,2; 2 Thess 2:1-4;9-12; Rev 13:5-7,18; 16:13-16; 20:7-9  (Rev 17:1,2,5,6,18;18:3-8)
Why are those of Christ’s disciples who are preaching this “good news”, persecuted for their message they bring to the “towns of Israel”?  Matt 10:16-23,39; John 15:20; Matt 24:48-51; John 16:2; Heb 13:12-14; Rev 13:1,2,11,12,15; 11:1-3,7
God’s Temple in the anointed ones - those “living stones” and dwelling of God’s spirit – has been trampled by your elder body/Beast/organization at the direction of false teachers/prophets.  The anointed have allowed “foreigners” to “enter” God’s sanctuary.  This is why “Israel” receives the “good news” of the restoration of “Jacob”/Israel  in the last days.  Ezek 44:6-9,10,12,15; 20:30,31; Num.18:7; Mal 3:1-5; 4:5,6; Matt 17:11; Rev 11:1-3 (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Rom 15:16; Eph 2:20-22) (Isa 43:1,10-12; 48:20; Rev 18:4)
 
Has God ever condoned the replacement of His royal priesthood as your GB has?  Is there anywhere in the scriptures that tells us a “Gentile” can “represent the royal priesthood”?  2 Chron 13:9  This is a choice every JW must make, to either listen carefully to the word of God, or choose to listen to the words of men.   Isa 2:17,22; Joel 3:14
 
Daniel Chapter 11:31-45

 
 
 

Hello  Equivocation,
If you are preaching the "good news" around the world, why did Jesus say these words...
"When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel Matt 10:23 before the Son of Man comes."  Matt 10:23