John 12.24to28

3 hours ago, Pudgy said:

 My only regret is that Jehovah will not allow me to die with a big grin,  fallen into a scattered cone of hot, smoking brass.

 

Well, I'll be relieved if you don't get your "scattered cone" death-wish. I hope the only "scattered cone" you ever get is maybe a Moose Tracks Ice Cream Cone or perhaps a hot brass spinning water sprinkler spraying a scattered cone of rainbow reflecting water prisms into a fine smoke-like mist about you as you and your wife enjoy another sunset watching the birds fly home. There aren't enough people around with common sense in the world as it is. 

 

3 hours ago, Pudgy said:

As a young man I used to jump out of perfectly good airplanes, so I am sorta used to the idea.

 

(I'll grin when you someday end up with a "Moses"-like assignment...he would've jumped out of airplanes when he was younger too but later just wanted to stay out to pasture with the sheep. Jehovah knew Moses was ready for the job after Moses felt ready to retire. Moses just wanted to be wiped out too. "So Moses returned to Jehovah and said: “What a great sin this people has committed! They made themselves a god of gold!  But now if you are willing, pardon their sin; if not, please wipe me out from your book that you have written.”  However, Jehovah said to Moses: “Whoever has sinned against me, I will wipe him out of my book.  Go now, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you. Look! My angel will go ahead of you, and on the day when I make an accounting, I will bring punishment on them for their sin.”)

 

3 hours ago, Pudgy said:

Dying is not that big a deal. A billion and more years of all living things dying (except for Enoch, who got transferred …) attest to that.

 

Yes, Jehovah can resurrect the dead. And the tired, at the appointed time. Praise Jehovah.

The Bible does reveal the details about the timing of specific events during the great tribulation (even though at the publishing of this video the governing body didn't know the details because Jehovah chose to reveal it to lowly ones first, that Jehovah may get glory for himself by means of using lowly ones, Jehovah is praised in this...) but this is still a really great talk as far as discussing how Jehovah will protect His people during that time. (Also, there will still be preaching of the good news during the great tribulation because Jesus never said it would stop - although the way we preach during the great tribulation will most likely be less formal, more like informal witnessing and not door-to-door or carts.) And "Jehovah's people" doesn't just mean those with the label of "Jehovah's Witnesses". Some with the label of "Jehovah's Witness" are actually like Judas. Any fake "Jehovah's Witnesses" will not be protected during the great tribulation UN attack on false religion. Others without the label "Jehovah's Witness" who are actually God's people, as proved by their love for others, will be protected during that UN attack. ("All will know you are my disciples, if you have love amongst yourselves.") Throughout history, "Jehovah's people" included non-Israelites, like Noah and his family, Abraham and Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, the Gibeonites, a great crowd of non-Hebrews out of Egypt, etc. "Jehovah knows those who belong to Him."

 

Jehovah Protects His People (transcript and video)

 

Brother Anthony Morris

 

"Now the Watchtower from where the comments are taken had the theme "Your Deliverance is Getting Near." Now, this was a sobering and yet very encouraging Watchtower Study Article. And the theme was taken from Luke chapter 21, so if you'd like to find that, Luke 21. And in the context, prior to verse 28, we know verse 26, "People will become faint out of fear and expectation of things coming upon the inhabited earth." And then mentions the heavens shaken, then see the Son of man, and that's where we find the theme, verse 28, "But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your head, because your deliverance is getting near."

 

Now as we know, that is fulfilled during the great tribulation. That's something to keep in mind, that at that time when these events take place they'll be able to stand up and look forward to the deliverance.

 

Now for a moment, just reflect back on the Hezekiah video that we enjoyed during the convention season last year. It was amazing, and what a beautiful job the brothers did in audio-video, depicting one angel that destroyed 185,000 men. It was spectacular. However, find Revelation chapter 17. Revelation chapter 17 and this is what is foretold for the near future. The context here, Revelation 17, where verse 12 mentions the ten horns, and then down into verse 13, after this one hour with the wild beast, the United Nations, and they give their authority to the wild beast. Humans in general would find that hard to believe when they look at what's going on in the world today, but here's what they're going to do, in verse 14: "These 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."

 

Now, as good as our brothers are in audio-video, I personally  doubt anyone could do a videography and capture this event. You're talking about Christ Jesus, the 144,000 anointed immortal spirit creatures, and then Jesus has the holy angels that are under his direction as King. This is going to be spectacular. All things are possible with God, but I think it would have to have Him to be able to show a video to capture what's coming in the future - just spectacular.

 

Now just keep in mind, and the Watchtower made this clear, we don't know the sure and exact sequence of events, the time order - some of it, as the Watchtower said, will likely overlap - however what we do know, and Jehovah's been kind about this, is what's going to take place to start the great tribulation. Now we find here in verse 15, and we'll read through 17 of Revelation 17: "He said to me, 'The waters that you saw where the prostitute is sitting, means peoples and crowds and nations and tongues. And the ten horns that you saw and the wild beast, these will hate the prostitute, and will make her devastated and naked, and they will eat up her flesh, and completely burn her with fire.'"

 

Now here's the fact and verification for why this will happen, verse 17: "For God put it into their hearts to carry out His thought; yes, to carry out their one thought, by giving their kingdom to the wild beast until the words of God will have been accomplished." So it's as good as done. This is what's going to happen, regardless of how people view us when we preach this good news, because this is good news, the destruction of the world empire of false religion at the beginning of the great tribulation, this is spectacular news for God's people, and until it takes place, they won't believe it. But it will happen, because Jehovah says it's going to happen.

 

So that will be a time for us to prove our love for Jehovah God. We'll be the only group protected by him. Now this was profound too, this article in the Watchtower made this - I thought it was a profound statement when you think about the organization we're part of - it said in paragraph 9: "This will not be the time to preach the good news of the Kingdom." My, we're a preaching organization, so there's a time we'll not preach the good news? Yes. Remember, one of our favorite verses, it's etched on the minds and hearts of God's people: "And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations," and don't forget the last part, "and then the end will come."

 

So during the great tribulation, no good news. However, we do know they'll be preaching. And you think we're unpopular now? Oh, my. Notice Revelation 16, in the context Armageddon is being addressed, and notice verse 21: "Then great hailstones, each about the weight of a talent, fell from heaven on the people, and the people blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for the hail was unusually great." Yes. So the message and the preaching is going to be like hailstones. I don't know if you've ever been in a hailstorm, but this is a huge hailstorm being depicted here, likely, possibly a hard-hitting message; maybe a declaration announcing that Satan's world is about to come to a complete end.

 

So let's just stay-tuned and don't feel bad. I know, I was out in the ministry in one territory recently, and it's good to suffer reproach. We all need that, like Jesus did. The door-to-door is good for us. But, see, if you think we're suffering reproach now? Well, get ready, it's just training for this future declaration that we'll have the privilege to share in.

 

Now, keep in mind, there is this event that the Watchtower did mention in Matthew chapter 24, and if you'll find that. And it's nice to have this clear. Matthew chapter 24, and we're going to read verse 31: "And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity." So what the Watchtower stated there is it's not the initial gathering of the anointed or the final sealing; this is when the remnant, the remaining ones, received their heavenly reward during the great tribulation. And this event takes place at some point after the beginning of the attack of Gog.

 

Now at that time, that's when Matthew 13:43 is fulfilled: "The righteous ones will shine as brightly as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father." So, as we've mentioned, sobering, yes, but encouraging, oh, yes. So encouraging. 

 

So brothers, let's be confident. Let's trust in Jehovah. There's no need to be afraid. Let's keep up our spiritual routine and prove ourselves ready because the great tribulation is near."

3 hours ago, Space Merchant said:

That being said, he was an only child of two genuine parents. Although he has been a sleep in death for a long time now, he is not forgotten, and soon God, along with his Christ, will bring him back. This goes for the other lost souls who were close to me, one of whom, suffered greatly.

 

@Space Merchant, I am so sorry for your losses, and for what they suffered, the family of the young boy and the others. It will be such a good day when all the suffering is over and the loved ones are all together again in peace. Jesus ransom blood is such a precious gift. Thank you for sharing your strong faith in the ransom and for loving truth. It is an encouragement to me and refreshing, as I am sure it is to many others here as well. 💖

 

"By iron, iron itself is sharpened. 

So one man sharpens the face of another."

 

"Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hope without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.  And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near."

Hi, @Space Merchant! Some of his sermons are still on the website, like those ones you got a screenshot of, which are from Gilead graduations, conventions, Annual Meeting, or a monthly broadcast program, but the twelve morning worship talks below were deleted: 

 

Jehovah Cares For Us as Individuals

We Love Jehovah

Jehovah Loves a Cheerful Giver

Jehovah Will "Carry It Out"

Jehovah "Well Knows How We Are Formed"

Comprehending the Heavenly Calling

The Heart is Treacherous

Jehovah Protects His People

A Proper View of Discipline Keeps Us Close to Jehovah

Keep Perceiving Jehovah's Will

Keep Your Eyes Loyal to Jehovah

Jehovah Blesses Obedience

 

(💝I am especially thankful for the talk entitled "Jehovah Protects His People" - it's one of my favorites - listening to it repeatedly helped me endure a very tough situation.)

Here is the transcript link for "Jehovah Protects His People" : 

Now, @Moise et.al/ @boyle, dear, you know quite well that you put a lovely red down arrow on probably 95% of what I post (I haven't actually counted, but I'm just guessing here) and yet the post with my boil joke you actually laughed and put a smiley face for once! I know enough about your personality to know that you did laugh at that one, so stop pretending that you weren't amused.

 

 

(You still keep prevaricating regarding the dumb banana jokes, though...)

 

Also, I am not too proud to say that at times I get downhearted or lonely. "Most gladly, then, I will boast about my weaknesses, in order that the power of the Christ may remain over me like a tent.  So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in times of need, in persecutions and difficulties, for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful." May Jehovah be praised, the One who raises me up when I am down.

 

I have to get some sleep, @boyle, but I will post something again on another thread sometime in answer to your "concrete evidence" request, and you can twist twist twist away on it all you like. Good night for now. I hope you have a nice evening.🙂

(By the way, @boyle, it's not shameful to feel lonely. Even Jesus felt lonely sometimes. He said from the torture stake: "My Father, why have you abandoned me?!" even though we know Jehovah never left him, not even for a second.)

 

We are never truly alone, even though we might feel that way sometimes. Jehovah allows it for a purpose. The Devil said we would curse Jehovah if put to the test. We have the privilege of proving the Devil wrong. One of the ways we are put to the test is by being isolated. It is not shameful to feel abandoned, as the psalmist described in the Bible:

 

"O Jehovah, the God of my salvation, 

By day I cry out, 

And by night I come before you.  

Let my prayer come to you, 

Incline your ear to my cry for help.  

For my soul has been filled with calamity, 

And my life is on the brink of the Grave.  

I am already counted among those going down to the pit; 

I have become a helpless man, 

Left among the dead 

Like the slain lying in a grave, 

Whom you remember no longer 

And who have been separated from your care.  

You have put me in the lowest pit, 

In dark places, in a large abyss.  

Your rage weighs heavily on me, 

And you overwhelm me with your crashing waves.

You have driven my acquaintances far away from me; 

You have made me something detestable to them.  

I am trapped and cannot escape. 

My eye is worn out because of my affliction. 

I call on you, O Jehovah, all day long; 

To you I spread out my hands.  

Will you perform wonders for the dead? 

Can those powerless in death rise up to praise you? 

Will your loyal love be declared in the grave, 

Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?  

Will your wonders be known in the darkness 

Or your righteousness in the land of oblivion?  

But I still cry to you for help, O Jehovah, 

Each morning my prayer comes before you.  

Why, O Jehovah, do you reject me? 

Why do you hide your face from me? 

From my youth on, I have been afflicted and ready to perish; 

I am numb from the terrible things you allow me to suffer.  

Your burning anger overwhelms me; 

Your terrors destroy me.  

They surround me like waters all day long; 

They close in on me from all sides.  

You have driven my friends and companions far away from me; 

Darkness has become my companion."

 

Jehovah didn't really leave the psalmist, but Jehovah understands when we feel that way. That's why He put that psalm in the Bible, so we would know He knows. He knows all of it because He doesn't leave our side when we're faithful to Him. We can still praise Jehovah even when we're lonely. The psalmist didn't stop praising Jehovah even when he felt alone, and Jesus didn't stop praising Jehovah when he felt lonely, and we don't have to either.

 

You're not alone, @boyle. 🌷Praise Jehovah.

@Matthew9969, it is unfortunate the degree of prejudice against certain music within the organization! Someday Jesus will fix that. Thank you for wanting to help people not get stumbled about what is acceptable/unacceptable regarding Christian choices in music. It is nice to have the freedom to choose.

 

@BroRando, thank you for loving people so much and wanting to help them learn about Jesus and Jehovah. Thank you for wanting to gather with the Master.

 

I know you both love Jesus very much.💖 Thank you for wanting to gather with the Lord.

 

"Whoever is not on my side is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."

 

"John said to him: “Teacher, we saw someone expelling demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he was not following us.”  But Jesus said: “Do not try to prevent him, for there is no one who will do a powerful work on the basis of my name who will quickly be able to say anything bad about me.  For whoever is not against us is for us.  And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, I tell you truly, he will by no means lose his reward.""

 

"In response John said: “Instructor, we saw someone expelling demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he is not following with us.”  But Jesus said to him: “Do not try to prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”"

 

"Now I would have you know that nobody when speaking by God’s spirit says: “Jesus is accursed!” and nobody can say: “Jesus is Lord!” except by holy spirit."

 

"Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in union with such one and he in union with God." 

1 hour ago, boyle said:

By whose standards?

 

Jehovah's standards.

 

Jehovah is the Author of the Bible, and "we must obey God as ruler rather than men" when those men teach things that are in opposition to God's Word.

 

The WTBTS corporation currently embraces many teachings that are not in harmony with God's Word. Thus, we are wise to listen to the specific direction from the organization when they teach what is in harmony with God's Word and reject the specific direction from the organization when it is not in harmony with God's Word. 

 

"Pay back Caesar's things to Caesar and God's things to God."

 

1 hour ago, boyle said:

It's not fear, rather than not being allowed to here, it seems. It looks like only certain people can express their opinion without reprisal. 

 

You're still here, @Moise Racette/ @boyle/@Zackary/ @Allen Smith/ @Dmitar/ @Wally McNasty / etc/etc/etc...so obviously you have been allowed to continue expressing your opinion. You only get zapped when you cross the line, and then you just "reincarnate" yourself with a new name/personality. So I don't know what you're complaining about.

 

1 hour ago, boyle said:

Do you enjoy having people removed, audrey/witness? I just looked at some of your previous posts, and found you enjoyed them. Is that why you mentioned, it could get continuous here, but yet you survive, while others don't? Just asking.

 

I am a fan of free speech, but I am not a fan of hateful speech, so while I would prefer people didn't get removed in general, I am glad when they are removed for using raunchy-icky language that better suits a house of ill-repute than a forum set aside for discussing religious topics.

 

I do not use raunchy-icky language like you do, @boyle/@MoiseRacette/@esa... Perhaps if you spoke in a slightly more genteel manner and less like a drunken sailor you wouldn't get deleted so often, but that is your prerogative. I think you must enjoy making up new profiles and personalities, and you must be kind of lonely - I feel bad for you and I don't mind talking to you as long as you behave.

 

You know very well that @Witness is a different person than me. @Witness is a follower of Pearl Doxsey, and I am not. I didn't know @Witness until I first spoke with her on here a few months ago. She private messaged me to let me know the administrator froze her abilities to comment, but that didn't have anything to do with me. I like talking with @Witness, even though I don't agree with what she believes on many things, I am proud of her for being willing to keep her integrity to what she believes.

 

1 hour ago, boyle said:

Does anyone here not like being challenged without being bullied or insulted by you or pudgy? No disrespect intended. I mean about the bible, not how you feel about the Org.

 

@Pudgy is not a bully; he is very tolerant of you, as I am tolerant of you as well. The description of the Jehovah's Witnesses Club is "News and discussion regarding JW.org, Watchtower, IBSA including current events and historical items of interest." Most of what I share is Bible verses. If you consider sharing Bible verses to be "bullying" and "insulting" then I don't know how you can get through reading any of the Bible at all without feeling overly self-condemned, and I feel sorry for you.

Ha! 😆 It seems the dragonslayer types are more prevalent roaming in the open forum (where there are dragons, there will be dragonslayers...) 

 

Personally, I think it'd be easier to do the three year wooden boat stint slaying monsters than to get back in the good-graces of the WTBTS Corporation (I have no desire to embrace false teachings or bow to men who promote disobedience to Jehovah); thus I guess I will never "qualify" to receive the "love and hospitality" of the "brothers" who restrict their affections to only "Corporation-approved Witnesses" in the Closed Club. 

 

"Let your love be without hypocrisy."

 

"We have opened our mouth to speak to you, Corinthians, and we have opened wide our heart.  We are not restricted in our affections for you, but you are restricted in your own tender affections for us.  So in response—I speak as to my children—you too open your hearts wide."

 

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts fear out, because fear restrains us. Indeed, the one who is fearful has not been made perfect in love.  We love, because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And we have this commandment from him, that whoever loves God must also love his brother."

 

(I think a lot of people are afraid of battling "dragons" just like they're afraid of the Corporation - what they don't know is that even a little kid can wield the sword of the spirit, that is, God's Word. Also, when the Corporation is smashed, Love will remain, and many will learn to extend their affection beyond the restrictions of what is written in the "OD" book. Praise Jehovah!)

Welcome, Jean Michel, Sak pase! If you haven't already become a member of one of the clubs, I think to be a member of any club you just have to go to Browse<Clubs, then select which club you want to join and click on it; then click on the "Join" option, and the administrator will help from there. Bon bagay. 🙂

Goodnight, @Pudgy😁

(This is one of my favorite talks. I was going to wait and post it next week, but since @boyle posted and I'm here anyway now...It's the third one on this link: https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODPgmEvtAnnMtg/pub-jwbam_201610_3_VIDEO)

 

The funny thing is, Brother Jackson says a whole bunch of times that they don't know the details about the great tribulation. They're right. The Governing Body doesn't know the details because Jehovah has hidden it from them since they have been embracing all kinds of false teachings. Until they get rid of the dark teachings, they can't understand the light ones. Anyway, it's still a good talk, but it makes me laugh when he says "we don't know the details of the great tribulation" since the details are there in the Bible and Jehovah let the little despised ones know about it first! Jehovah does it with style, lol! "Expect the unexpected!"😆

 

Here is a transcript of that talk (it's still a good talk):

 

Expect the Unexpected

 

Brother Geoffrey Jackson

 

"I'm sure every one of us here today would agree that this year's regional convention program was absolutely fantastic!

 

And probably one of the most common comments that have been made is that many brothers and sisters have said "This convention has truly prepared us for the great tribulation." And we certainly feel that way.

 

But as our minds think about the great tribulation and the importance of Jesus' words, it's true, at times that our imagination, perhaps, becomes very active. We may have questions: How long will be the great tribulation? How will it affect me personally? Will I be able to get my medication? What about my cat?

 

Well, the short answer to all those intriguing questions is: We don't know. But there is something that we do know beyond any doubt whatsoever. Let's turn to the book of 2 Peter 2:9.

 

And this fact fills us with confidence as we look to the future, to the outbreak of the great tribulation. So, 2 Peter 2:9, there it tells us: "So, then, Jehovah knows how to rescue people of godly devotion out of trial."

 

Yes, brothers and sisters, we know Jehovah. We know his record. We've studied the Scriptures, and we totally believe that no matter what happens - even though we don't know the details of what the future holds - we believe that Jehovah knows how to rescue righteous persons. And we've seen time and time again how Jehovah does the unexpected. When we look through the Scriptures, that point is emphasized over and over again.

 

There are two scriptures that help to fortify this faith and belief that we have. Let's look at them together. The first one is found in the book of Ephesians, Ephesians 3:20.

 

Here the apostle Paul under inspiration tells us: "Now to the one who can, according to his power that is operating in us, do more than superabundantly beyond all the things we ask or conceive." Now, this is a fantastic expression. In the Writing Department, if we were to write this, I'm sure the proofreaders would correct it. But this is under inspiration.

 

For a start, let's think of the word "superabundantly." Now, the proofreaders may tell us, "For a start, 'abundant' is enough." But here we have "superabundantly." Now, it doesn't stop there, does it? Because Paul then says under inspiration, "more than superabundantly," and then it gets even better, "beyond all the things we ask or conceive."

 

This is certainly making the point, isn't it? And what is the point. Jehovah can do things beyond what we would expect. It's so interesting for us to note that Jehovah does not limit himself to what we ask for in our prayers. And we can be happy of that because he goes beyond anything that we could ever think of to solve our problems.

 

So, it's true, at times we may see no way out of our problems. We may feel overwhelmed. But remember, what does it say here? Jehovah has the power to "do more than superabundantly beyond all the things we ask or conceive."

 

Now the second scripture is in the book of Philippians 4:6. Here again, we're told, "Do not be anxious over anything but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that," now notice again, "surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus."

 

Have you noticed in several of the talks today, the point is being made over and over again that this precious possession that we have is our relationship with Jehovah. We need to trust him.

 

Now, when the peace of God comes to us because of praying to Jehovah and trusting in him, what does it say here? Then "that surpasses all understanding."

 

Other translations put it this way: "surpasses all our dreams," "excels all human planning," "is more wonderful than we can imagine."

 

Truly, brothers and sisters, we don't need to know all the details of what the future holds. We know that our loving God, Jehovah, will do things in a wonderful way. Yes, he does the unexpected, and he does it with style. That's the amazing thing. 

 

As we read through the Scriptures, we see this over and over again. Let's think about Haman back in the days of Esther and Mordecai. Haman had a lot of money, a lot of influence, and a plan. He wanted to commit genocide to destroy all of God's people, and it looked like the plan was going to succeed. But Haman didn't know what Jehovah had in mind. 

 

Esther and Mordecai were in place. And how things turned out! The very day the the Jews should have been slaughtered and completely eradicated was the day that their enemies were killed instead. But as we read through those events, Jehovah did so many unexpected things.

 

Personally, I just love chapter 6. Right in the middle of this intrigue where we see what Jehovah is preparing, then there's an account about the king not being able to sleep. And, isn't it wonderful? You see Haman comes in at the wrong time for Haman. He assumes wrongly that the king is going to bless him. And what's the result? He has to be humiliated, walking around in front of Mordecai on a horse wearing the king's clothes! That's style!

 

Jehovah didn't have to do that. But when we look back on it, that really is style, isn't it? And we can be sure that Jehovah will continue to do these things for his people. 

 

Recently, of course, we just watched that beautiful presentation with regard to Hezekiah. Didn't that full-length movie help us to imagine exactly what happened at that time? But in the case of Hezekiah, what did he do in the time leading up to that event? Well, he fortified the city, he stopped up the wells so the Assyrians wouldn't be able to get water, he did all sorts of things to plan. And yet, none of that was needed. Why? He didn't realize what Jehovah was going to do - the unexpected!

 

We didn't even expect it when we saw that angel in the movie, did we? What a wonderful presentation it was! But, you see, Jehovah again did the unexpected. None of his people were thinking that Jehovah would do that. And yet, he had the situation under control.

 

And, of course, time and again, as we look through the Scriptures, we see this emphasized. Moses and the Israelites - if we were standing with them there on the shores of the Red Sea with the Egyptians coming behind us, who of us would have ever guessed that Jehovah was now going to part the Red Sea? I mean, that was unexpected! It was also unexpected that the Egyptians would be so stupid to follow the Israelites. And yet, it resulted in a wonderful victory for Jehovah's people.

 

You see, expect the unexpected when it comes to what Jehovah does. 

 

Now, thinking back to what the apostle Paul was inspired to say to the brothers in Philippi, let's think about the setting of when he wrote that and a little bit of the background.

 

The apostle Paul said, basically: "Don't worry. Pray because Jehovah can do the unexpected." 

 

Well, was Paul perhaps writing that particular time as an academic sitting behind a desk - someone who is testing out something he doesn't really know about? Of course not. We remember back at that time, in 60 to 61 C.E., the apostle Paul was in prison in Rome. He'd already experienced many, many different hardships. He knew what it was like to be in a time of trial. But even the very fact that he was writing to the brothers in Philippi is of interest. Let's just refresh our memories about this.

 

You'll see the record is in Acts 16. But what actually happened ten years before Paul wrote the letter to the brothers in Philippi? 

 

Well, Paul was in Asia Minor. He was trying to find somewhere the holy spirit would allow him to preach. So he went to one location - no. He went to another location - no. Eventually, he arrives at Troas, and there one evening, he sees a Macedonian man. And what does he say? "Step over into Macedonia."

 

Well, Paul naturally assumed this was Jehovah's direction, and immediately he made plans to step over into Macedonia. And this actually started the preaching work in Europe.

 

Well, he arrived first at the seaport of Neapolis, and then made his way to Philippi. Well, immediately there was some success. Some started to accept the message. But what happened shortly thereafter? Well, as we already mentioned today, the account tells us that Paul and Silas were beaten up and thrown into a dungeon - into a prison. 

 

Now, if you were Paul and you were sitting there in prison with your back paining, singing songs to bring yourself comfort, perhaps you would think this: "What is Jehovah doing? I mean, I was in Asia Minor. I could've preached anywhere in Asia Minor. But, no, the vision said, 'Step over into Macedonia.' Now, I'm assuming there's a big door of activity open, but now here I am in prison. Why did Jehovah direct me to come here?"

 

I'm sure - I think most of us would probably start thinking along that line and perhaps be discouraged. Perhaps, at times, you've felt you followed Jehovah's direction and then you've had problems. So we're used to understanding that situation.

 

But what happened that very night? An earthquake, the doors of the prison open up, the jailer and his family accept the truth - and then this is where it proves again Jehovah has style - those magistrates apologize to Paul. Paul says: "No, you take us out. And you escort us out of the city." Now, that's style!

 

And as we read, what do we notice? I imagine this in my mind. It says Paul said good-bye to Lydia. And I imagine, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm imagining the magistrates standing outside Lydia's home waiting for Paul to say good-bye and then continuing to escort them out of the city.

 

Now, not only is that style but it was also practical because it appears that, perhaps, Luke, the doctor, was left to stay there in Philippi and establish the congregation. And, no doubt, those magistrates would have thought twice before they did anything bad to the Christians after that. 

 

But, what's the point? At times, we may feel that there's no way out of our problems. But, surely, the lesson that we learn over and over and over again is that Jehovah can turn things completely around. Yes, even though we may speculate and think: "What if? Maybe he'll do this," in the end, when we look back on events we can't help but be impressed with how Jehovah handles things. He has everything under control.

 

So that brings us back to the regional convention - the Sunday program. We all enjoyed that symposium of talks with the little videos dealing with the great tribulation. Maybe for most of us, it took us a while to work out what they were doing in the basement. Usually, by the time there was a knock, then we started to realize that it was at the time of the great tribulation.

 

And with excitement, we watched as that door opened and there the police, the military, were facing our brothers and sisters. And you were waiting! Will the angel come and take them out? Will fire come from heaven? And we were left hanging. Why? The simple answer: We don't know.

 

But one thing is for sure: If Jehovah is on our side, we do not need to fear men. Yes, it's true. We don't know all the details of the great tribulation. We don't know exactly what's going to happen in the future. But, we do know that our loving heavenly Father, Jehovah God, has everything under control. Yes, he has style. So we can expect the unexpected!"

 

Praise Jehovah!💖😁

More seriously, though, as far as why does it matter...By means of the holy spirit, my Lord told me to tell. You know how holy spirit isn't somebody talking to you - it's being motivated by love, seeing what happens when you follow in that direction, and clearly seeing the result that came in harmony with what you prayed. So I will obey Him. Because I love Him. (Even if nobody wants to listen - he said to tell, so I will. I love Him.)

 

"What I tell you in the darkness, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, preach from the housetops."

 

"But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you."

 

"Jesus said to them again: “May you have peace. Just as the Father has sent me, I also am sending you.”  After saying this he blew on them and said to them: “Receive holy spirit.""

 

"And as for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to be teaching you; but the anointing from him is teaching you about all things and is true and is no lie. Just as it has taught you, remain in union with him.  So now, little children, remain in union with him, so that when he is made manifest we may have freeness of speech and not shrink away from him in shame at his presence."

 

"Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.""

 

If I understand anything about Bible prophecy or timelines or anything, it's not because I have any special smartness or anything. It's because Jesus can make even dumb people understand. 

 

"In that very hour he became overjoyed in the holy spirit and said: “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have carefully hidden these things from wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to young children. Yes, O Father, because this is the way you approved.  All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son is willing to reveal him.”"

 

Jesus allowed me to be able to share these things that have been hidden from the fancy guys at Bethel because Jesus wants to show that he can use even a most despised person in the organization - an imperfect abused woman, a non-pioneer, a disfellowshipped woman viewed as an apostate who dared to tell on some mighty naughty elders - to understand some "deep" spiritual truths and share them with other despised ones before the fancy people on the Governing Body or from the GileadSchool/ElderSchool/MTSSchool/etc understand them. It brings praise to Jehovah to use the lowly ones. Praise Jehovah.

 

He is very soon going to turn the organization upside down, just like a woman turns a bowl upside down to clean it, similar to: "Therefore this is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: ‘Here I am bringing such a disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that it will make both ears of anyone who hears about it tingle. And I will stretch out on Jerusalem the measuring line applied to Sa·marʹi·a and use the leveling tool applied to the house of Aʹhab, and I will wipe Jerusalem clean, just as one wipes a bowl clean, wiping it and turning it upside down..."  and He will get glory for himself by means of telling the matter ahead of time by somebody really little. And it will encourage all the little ones because they will see again how much Jehovah cares for even the despised ones, and they will have more confidence during the troublesome times of the great tribulation because they will know even more that Jehovah won't leave them.

 

So, it really does matter if I share it, to Jesus.

 

(But it's still fun to see your stick figure seagull and other cartoons, so I hope you have some more to share soon. They make me laugh.😊)

1 hour ago, Pudgy said:

Too much thinking about such things will only burn out your hair roots or give you a triple chin.

 

Maybe that would help solve the aforementioned heavenly beard quandary with Roseannadanna?

1 hour ago, Pudgy said:

As a Practical matter … how could it possibly matter

 

I think the words "it really doesn't matter" sound best set to music...

 

59 minutes ago, Pudgy said:

Is this “ The hill you want to die on”?

 

"Often, the idiom the hill you want to die on is used when describing something that will make or break one's reputation, or result in either glory or ignominy." 

 

"We have all probably heard or read someone use the phrase “that’s a hill I’m willing to die on” or something similar (especially on the internet). The earliest origin of the phrase in the sense of holding on to an argument or opinion no matter what the cost, is associated with military actions. Wiktionary’s entry states that it is an “allusion to the military practice of capturing/holding a hill (high ground), no matter the cost or (lack of) benefit.” Two examples are then given - the Battle of Hamburger Hill in the Vietnam War or Last Stand Hill at the Battle of Little Big Horn. Yet, the phrase surely goes back to some much more famous examples of men dying on hills, and it surely relates to the defense of a position (rather than an attack on one). After all, it is used to defend an argument, not usually to attack someone else’s. The most famous precedent for being willing to die on a hill is that upon which the defenders of Thermopylae died in 480 BC during the Persian Wars. Outnumbered, the Spartans and their allies defended the hill to the last man against the advancing Persians under their king Darius..." 

 

"...Associations with both Hamburger Hill and Last Stand Hill also seem to miss the point of the phrase. It implies foreknowledge of doom, impending death, and the rightness of one’s decision in being there and deciding to sacrifice oneself for that position. These are qualities missing from both the battles of Hamburger Hill and Little Big Horn, but are present in the uses of the phrase (in both the negative and questioning uses and in the positive uses of the phrase). The idea of deliberate sacrifice and moral certitude are, however, elements both present at Thermopylae (and Calvary) and other examples that followed it (and even sought to emulate it). According to Herodotus (7.220.3-4), the oracle at Delphi had foretold that for Sparta to remain free from Persian domination, a Spartan king needed to die. Leonidas’ foreknowledge (or at least his willingness to accept his fate) is a quality inherent in the phrase – yet one missing in the other (later) examples cited for its genesis. This perspective of Leonidas and the 300 at Thermopylae is perfectly summed up, with the added idea of their sacrifice, by Aelian (Varia Historia 3.25): "Leonidas the Spartan and his force of three hundred accepted the death that was prophesied for them at Thermopylae. After a brave and noble struggle on behalf of Greece they met a glorious end and left behind them an immortal reputation and a good name for eternity."

 

(Karwansaray Publishers "A Hill I am Willing to Die On - Lessons from Thermopylae https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/en-us/blogs/ancient-warfare-blog/a-hill-i-am-willing-to-die-on-lessons-from-thermopylae)

 

Since (1) I do not consult oracles, (2) I don't have a "reputation" to lose - I'm already considered to be worthy of shunning by almost everyone here (not you two, of course, but pretty much everybody in the JW Closed Club), and (3) I don't care for glory and I despise ignominy, it's not really possible for me to "die" on this hill. (According to Watchtower, I'm already dead.) @Boyle can fire away if he chooses - we'll use the fire to roast marshmallows or take a ride in a hot air balloon or maybe they'll be a fireworks show.

 

(As you once wisely put it regarding @Moise's shenanigans... "But hey, that's entertainment!" 😁)

 

I think this is more fun than drawing stick figures, but I like that seagull one! (It reminds me of when we were young, my little brothers and I used to draw tiny stick figures invading the page on all the "Architectural Digest" magazine ads we had in our home..there'd be little stick figure guys climbing up people or jumping off their nose with a parachute or things like that😆)

Here is a link to some of the events during the great tribulation that the Bible talks about:

 

 

(I can talk more about it later, but I have to get something else done right now...if you have a comment after you read that link, I will get it and respond a little later if you want.)

14 minutes ago, boyle said:

Since you have reactivated a discussion made in 2020 about resurrection that Konosen did not necessarily make on your point of view, can you give a biblical fact on how the resurrection and Babylon the great mean the anointed will be resurrected during Satan's fight of Armagadon?

 

I cannot give a Biblical fact on your statement: "how the resurrection and Babylon the Great mean the anointed will be resurrected during Satan's fight of Armageddon" because the Bible doesn't say that and neither did I.

 

I said quite clearly that the Bible shows the anointed will be resurrected after Babylon the Great falls but before Armageddon. If you want to reread the thread, go ahead, the scriptures to support the fact that the anointed will be resurrected after Babylon the Great falls but before Armageddon comes are there.

 

And Kosonen's original post title is "The heavenly resurrection begins after the fall of Babylon the Great" so the fact that the anointed will be resurrected after Babylon the Great falls but before Armageddon comes does fit with what he said in the title. 

 

Thank you, Boyle, for being so concerned about truth and clarity.

 

I am trying to take a little "vacation" from forums for a week, @Boyle, but I didn't change my notifications setting so I got your post in my inbox. Anyway, I hope you have a good evening.

 

Well, @boyle I guess you'll have to let me know some other time...

 

Since this thread was about the heavenly resurrection happening after the fall of Babylon the Great, and at present we are talking about pyramids and Egypt and Aztecs, I was thinking how sad it is that so many people died not knowing the truth about the resurrection. Both the Egyptians and the Aztecs thought there were several invisible parts of the soul (ka, ba, akh; tonalli, teyolia, ihiyotl) and they were completely tricked by the Babylonish teachings initially spouted by the snake in the garden: "you positively will not die." Since then, how many have been duped into thinking people die and then are raised up invisibly!

 

We know about the history of pyramid-lovers in the organization. Too bad not more people realize that there are other related false teachings in the organization regarding the afterlife that are holdover from Babylon the Great. (Like the one about "when you're resurrected it will be invisible". None of the resurrections in the Bible happened invisibly. I wonder where that teaching came from? Oh, wait, I already know! I think you do, too...😁)

 

Anyway, I hope you guys have a nice week. I will be offline here for a week. Take care! ☺️

@boyle, I think that's one of the least "intrusive" comments I've seen you make.🙂In all actuality, I wouldn't consider any of your comments with your other aliases "intrusive". (Besides, this is an open forum.) Over the top sometimes, occasionally shocking, generally tenacious, perhaps that would be a better way to put it?

 

Which site did you visit? (to see the Aztec ruins)

8 minutes ago, boyle said:

It looks like you guys are using the pyramid analogy to get at something. What's to decipher? The 144,000 heavenly resurrection? Or the process by which the anointed are being risen?

 

Hi, @boyle! You came back! I thought you said you were going to try the JW Closed Club instead. (I don't qualify to go there right now, but that's okay, it's fun talking out here in the other club.) Do you like pyramids? I'm not really into them, unless it's to calculate a slope for a word problem.

On 2/19/2023 at 7:06 PM, Pudgy said:

I have never aspired to any position of responsibility, and don’t now. I don’t want to “shepherd” anyone. 
Never have.

 

Who in their right mind would want to be a king and a priest? That's who Jehovah picks sometimes, I guess. People who weren't looking for it, people who don't want to be a king or a priest. So that He may be glorified when He Causes somebody to Become something even when they're nothing. Jehovah is praised in this.

On 4/7/2023 at 10:38 AM, Pudgy said:

When I was in the seventh grade, in English class we were taught to diagram sentences. You could diagram of a sentence and tell exactly what was being said, even if the author had not intended to say that.

It’s a lot of work, and when I was younger, I did the work when studying scriptures so that’s what I’m used to.

Now I realize that the above rambling essay is much larger then two short paragraphs, and 10 bullet,  points so I’ll try to shorten it …………

1.) since there is absolutely nothing I can do about ANY of it, I really don’t need to know at all !!

2.) Sometimes bullet points are not necessary.

( I have  bigger problems down here where the rubber meets the road )

 

Diagramming sentences can be fun puzzles. I liked grammar class. I prefer the math puzzles. And scriptural puzzles. Wrestling with "puzzles" has helped me cope during the many varied instances and extended circumstances regarding those "bigger problems down here where the rubber meets the road." Sometimes when it seems like the whole world has gone mad, immersing my mind and heart in study of creation and scripture has kept me alive.

 

"In this same way, when God decided to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,  in order that through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to the refuge may have strong encouragement to take firm hold of the hope set before us."

 

I love my children more than I love anyone else on earth. When I understood about being anointed, I had to "wrestle all night" with that figurative angel...how do you comprehend everlasting life separated from those you love? And the God of Love doing the calling? It just didn't make sense. All the things the organization says about the heavenly resurrection don't make sense. They don't fit with the Bible. I had to wrestle with that puzzle for a long time before things fell into place.

 

I begged Jehovah to help me understand. And He did. And it's only right to share that information, because it's just horrible for anybody to think that Jehovah would separate loved ones from each other. He's not like that. Satan is the one who invented the eternal torment doctrine, not Jehovah.

 

How could anyone think the God of Love would separate loved ones for all eternity, and that someone in heaven could see their loved ones but not be with them? That's horrible. That's not Jehovah's way.

 

"You must not boil a kid in its mother's milk." That was a law of Jehovah. He wasn't just saying it about cooking. It's the principle behind it.

 

Jehovah was separated from Jesus for a little while. It must have been horrible. But then they could be together again forever. Jehovah takes the lead in everything. Why would He ask us to do something that He wouldn't do himself? Jehovah would not separate Himself from His Son for all eternity. He would not ask us to do it either.

 

Jehovah designed us to be His kids. He isn't going to just watch everybody from heaven. That's not how He is. People don't understand yet that He's actually going to make a way to interact with His kids on the earth. 

 

It's kind of like when you know how to do trig, but you're teaching someone who doesn't know their 1-2-3s yet. You have to wait until they can count, then teach basic math, then algebra later, etc...

 

For so long, false religion has been teaching that "invisible" thing, and there are still remnants of it in Jehovah's Witnesses today that haven't been removed yet. Jesus will remove them in time.

 

Anyway, suffering is bad but good things can come of it. Jehovah doesn't cause the suffering, but He turns it into a blessing every time, like He did with Job, and Joseph, and Jesus. He will do that for all of us.

 

Thank you for sharing with me about trigonometry.💖

 

I like what Jesus said:

 

"“I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now.  However, when that one comes, the spirit of the truth, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own initiative, but what he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things to come.  That one will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and will declare it to you.  All the things that the Father has are mine. That is why I said he receives from what is mine and declares it to you.  In a little while you will see me no longer, and again, in a little while you will see me.”

1 hour ago, Pudgy said:

Being resurrected AT ALL is the biggie.

 

Amen! I am thankful that Jehovah wants all His children to be there. 

 

Mr. Moise/Boyle/AllenSmith/WallyMcNasty and his antics makes me think of "Shrew". I understand "Shrew" because we are all "shrew-like" in one way or another. (James chapter 3).

 

I like these variations on the theme of "taming the shrew"...

 

Shakespeare version taming of the shrew:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iBWtOHPV28

 

Peter Rabbit version taming of the shrew:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwNQXMyH6pE

 

God's Word version taming of the shrew:

 

"The wolf and the lamb will feed together, 

The lion will eat straw just like the bull, 

And the serpent’s food will be dust.  

They will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all my holy mountain,” says Jehovah."

 

"The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb, 

And with the young goat the leopard will lie down, 

And the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together; 

And a little boy will lead them. 

The cow and the bear will feed together, 

And their young will lie down together.  

The lion will eat straw like the bull. 

The nursing child will play over the lair of a cobra, 

And a weaned child will put his hand over the den of a poisonous snake.  

They will not cause any harm 

Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, 

Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah 

As the waters cover the sea.  

In that day the root of Jesʹse will stand up as a signal for the peoples. 

To him the nations will turn for guidance, 

And his resting-place will become glorious."

 

"Love hopes all things."💖

1 hour ago, Pudgy said:

AudreyAnnaNana: 

Have you ever run across the trigonometric memnemonic:

SHO

CHA

TAO

for calculating the angles and distances of a triangle? It’s in common use now, and unknown to me may have been “invented” before I independently  “invented” it about 40 years ago. It’s pronounced “shochatao”. Easy to remember. An essential tool for trig calcs.

As bad as I am at math, I am stunned that this memnemonic was essential for me earning a living for 40 years and more, doing trig calcs. in surveying and civil and mechanical engineering.

If it’s new to you, see if you can crack the code of how it works. If you already know, a patronizing grin.

 

SOH CAH TOA

 

sin = opposite/hypotenuse

cos = adjacent/hypotenuse

tan = opposite/adjacent

 

I'm not very good at math, but I do love it. It's one of the few times in this old system of things that problems can be solved perfectly. 

 

(I saw on earlier threads that somebody posted some math problems. I went back and did them for fun. I'm kind of a geek like that.🙂)