John 12.24to28

And yet they go beyond that authority every day in the congregations.
 
 
That verse in 2 Thessalonians in context is about the lawless ones who sits as a god in the temple of God (apostates active in God's organization in positions of authority, the wolves Jesus talked about who infiltrate the congregations) and about those who follow them who will perish because they don't love truth. 
 
 
The verse in Titus in context is: "But have nothing to do with foolish arguments and genealogies and disputes and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.  As for a man who promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition,  knowing that such a man has deviated from the way and is sinning and is self-condemned." It's not talking about a committee disfellowshipping people and then not talking to them. It's specific on how to deal with men teaching false doctrines at the congregation meetings for worship.
 
 
"...man’s anger does not bring about God’s righteousness."

Of course He doesn't support apostates. But He does allow them to do their thing for now. He does allow the apostates to do their wickedness in the congregation even. (There is a difference between allowing something and approving of it.)
 
There is a lovely illustration in one of our publications regarding disfellowshipping. In the painting, a shepherd has his sheep penned off, safe, in the background. In the foreground, the shepherd is isolating a sick sheep so it can heal and not infect the rest of the flock. The illustration is showing how to not spread gangrene.
 
The thing is, sheep are social animals. They need others to survive. One sheep does not do well alone. So the penned off sheep can still see and hear the other sheep just over the pen wall. It's not really alone. It can "baaa!" and hear the other sheep say "baaaa! baaaa!" And the shepherd is still nearby to ward off any wolves that might come by.
 
The reality in the congregations is that sometimes a wicked wolf posing as a shepherd takes a little lamb that is not sick and shoves it out into the woods. The wicked wolf does not put the lamb out because it is sick, he puts it out because he is sick. The wicked wolf shepherd is spiritually sick. And now because the current disfellowshipping doctrine is what it is, the faithful little lamb is on its own in the woods (or so it seems). Thankfully, Jesus does not leave any of his little ones alone, ever. (Just like Jehovah was with Joseph all those years after his brothers betrayed him and sold him to Egypt.) But it is not easy for these little ones. And because they are social creatures, they become easy prey to the wolves out in the world, and other social groups that are not clean.
 
When the other sheep in the fold ignore the faithful or weak little sheep who are kicked out, it is cruel and not Jehovah's way. That's not what was meant by those verses on keeping the congregation clean. That's not how Jesus would do it, shunning faithful ones. Anybody with common sense can see it's not Christ's way to ignore people.
 
If somebody wants to go off and do bad, then let them go somewhere else. They shouldn't do it in the congregation. The elders can tell the wrongdoers to stop and not give them speaking/teaching duties and not worship with them. But that's no reason to ignore people when you see them on the street or if they come to the Kingdom Hall and they're not doing anything wrong. That's just plain stupid to ignore them at the Kingdom Hall if they are not doing anything wrong. If they are making the effort to go to the hall and they're not doing anything wrong then people should acknowledge them. Jesus wouldn't ignore them if they were there. The elders do not have authority to label someone and make extra traditions that aren't in the Bible, saying only a committee can remove the label or that only the committee can know the details. They don't have authority from Jesus to do that and say everybody should ignore the person with not even any shred of evidence. The Pharisees are the ones who would ignore people like that. The Pharisee-types are the ones who make class distinctions, saying "this one is too poor for me to talk to" or "I only associate with the rich". Rich in prominence or poor in prominence, God is not partial. If He makes it rain and sun on both, so should we. Jesus was merciful.
 
Jesus is the fine shepherd. He will make clear what "disfellowshipping" really is when he comes.

@Space Merchant, please, imagine a congregation with three elders who are just like @Moise Racette @EsADmf @Wally McNasty .
 
And then imagine the circuit overseer is also just like @Moise Racette.
 
And then imagine there are three other elders who are really tired and busy and just let the active MoiseRacettes do all the judicial stuff.
 
That's what it's like where I live.
 
That's what it's like in a lot of congregations. Jesus said there were congregations that were like "the synagogue of Satan". Not all the congregations are that way, but two out of seven are described that way in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.
 
Now imagine some of those MoiseRacette type elders become Bethelites and Branch Overseers and are on the governing body.
 
Sheesh. 
 
Jesus said there would be an apostasy. In the organization of God. The end of the last days would be the worst time in the congregation because the weeds are so prevalent. Soon the angels will come to truly "disfellowship" all the weeds. Praise Jehovah!

As far as your definition of actual apostasy goes, I hate apostasy. 
 
"Do I not hate those who hate you, O Jehovah, 
And loathe those who revolt against you?  
I have nothing but hatred for them; 
They have become real enemies to me."
 
But what I have seen and experienced first-hand in Jehovah's organization is that there are many apostates holding positions of authority in the organization, and it is not just a few here and there. There are those who don't even believe in Jehovah in many positions of authority, from elders to circuit overseers to Bethelites. 
 
David spoke of such things, people who claim to serve God but belie their claim via their actions:
 
"The foolish one says in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.” 
Their actions are corrupt, and their dealings are detestable; 
No one is doing good.  
But Jehovah looks down from heaven on the sons of men 
To see whether anyone has insight, whether anyone is seeking Jehovah.  
They have all turned aside; 
They are all alike corrupt.  
No one is doing good, 
Not even one. 
Do none of the wrongdoers understand? 
They devour my people as if they were eating bread. 
They do not call on Jehovah.
But they will be filled with great terror, 
For Jehovah is with the generation of the righteous.  
You wrongdoers try to frustrate the plans of the lowly one, 
But Jehovah is his refuge.  
O that Israel’s salvation may come from Zion! 
When Jehovah gathers back his captive people, 
Let Jacob be joyful, let Israel rejoice."
 
The Insight book on this says: "Those turning from the Source. The person who turns to transgression begins to discount God as a factor to be considered when making decisions and plans. (Job 34:27) Such a person allows his heart to blind him to the wrongness of his ways and he loses insight. (Ps 36:1-4) Even if claiming to worship God, he puts men’s precepts above God’s; he prefers them. (Isa 29:13, 14) He rationalizes and excuses his loose conduct as mere “sport” (Pr 10:23) and becomes perverted, brutish, stupid in his reasoning, to the extreme of assuming that the invisible God does not see or discern his wrongdoing, as though God’s powers of perception had failed. (Ps 94:4-10; Isa 29:15, 16; Jer 10:21) By his course and actions he says, in effect, “There is no Jehovah” (Ps 14:1-3) and leaves him ‘out of the picture.’ Not being guided by divine principles, he cannot judge matters correctly, see the issues clearly, evaluate the factors involved, and arrive at right decisions. —Pr 28:5."
 
Again, it is stated in Psalm 10 regarding those who claim to know God but hypocritically pursue the righteous one for harm:
 
"The wicked one arrogantly pursues the helpless one, 
But he will be caught in the schemes he devises.  
For the wicked one boasts about his selfish desires 
And blesses the greedy one;
He disrespects Jehovah.  
In his haughtiness, the wicked man makes no investigation; 
All his thoughts are: “There is no God.”  
His ways keep prospering, 
But your judgments are beyond his understanding; 
He scoffs at all his adversaries. 
He says in his heart: “I will never be shaken; 
For generation after generation I will never see calamity.” 
His mouth is full of curses, lies, and threats; 
Under his tongue are trouble and injury.  
He waits in ambush near the settlements; 
From his hiding place he kills an innocent one. 
His eyes are watching for an unfortunate victim. 
He waits in his hiding place like a lion in its lair. 
He waits to seize the helpless one. 
He seizes the helpless one when he pulls his net shut. 
The victim is crushed and brought down; 
The unfortunate ones fall into his clutches.  
He says in his heart: “God has forgotten. 
He has turned away his face. 
He never notices."
 
It has been my experience that some of the smoothest talking, best speakers in the organization are the worst offenders. Some of the highest rated speakers in my circuit are also the biggest hypocrites, backstabbing men who are attempting to climb a corporate-type ladder in the organization and are willing to squash others as soon as they'd squash a bug. I have watched them permit adultery and alcohol abuse and domestic assault and love for violence and spiritism among the flock, even though there was enough evidence for them to "disfellowship" those guilty of such sins, while at the same time they shunned, either "soft-shunned" (denying "privileges" or friendship) or outright abused the disfellowshipping process with false testimony and no evidence in order to get rid of anyone who told the truth about what was really going on. I have seen how, when presented with the evidence, those at Bethel in the service department and the legal department and even the governing body themselves turned a blind eye to these wicked goings-ons and put a figurative "sword" in the hands of the wolf-like elders to support their twisting of the Bible and hurting of the sheep and continue to reproach Jehovah's name.
 
I have seen such hypocritical men label truth-tellers as "apostates" when in fact those hypocritical men are the actual apostates.
 
That is why, @SpaceMerchant, when I hear some of what outside "apostates" say, I do take it with a grain of salt and weigh it against what the Bible says. Many first-century Jews labeled true Christians as "apostates" but they weren't apostates. The Pharisees labeled Jesus an apostate, but he wasn't. 
 
Some of what the organization teaches is an apostasy from what Jesus said and did. Some of what those labeled "apostates" by the organization say is actually truth. 
 
What a big mess! Thankfully Jesus is coming to clarify matters and kick out all those fakers in the organization. He is also going to rain on the parade of actual apostates outside the organization. We don't have to do that part. But we do need to worship with spirit and truth, and the Bible is where we find that truth, not with committees of men who warp what is written in order to climb their corporate-style ladder.
 
I wish there were Real Elders here who would chase away the wicked wolves in the congregation. Someday there will be. Until then, Jesus has the angels of the congregations around to help give us what we need when we need it.
 
"Are they not all spirits for holy service, sent out to minister for those who are going to inherit salvation?"

Dear @Space Merchant, the elders I know here don't act like the way you describe at all. 
 
It would be nice if they did act that way. But that's not how they act.
 
They act like businessmen. They don't protect the sheep. They are the ones hurting the sheep, and then if you tell on them, they disfellowship you. And if you ask the next guy up, the CO, he won't help either. And if you write to Bethel, they won't help either. Even if you write to the governing body, they won't help you. They say "we're your brothers and we love you" but they don't really mean what you say. It's fake.
 
What you are saying sounds nice in theory, but the reality in the organization is very, very different. I am sure there must be some congregations and individuals that are nice and do what you said the elders do, and I'm glad for that sister who turned around that you talked about, but I know personally of several cases where the elders misused their disfellowshipping authority and I'm just in one little place. It doesn't just happen here. 
 
I agree with you that the church should be clean, but it is clear to me that when the Bible says there would be many antichrists and wolves in the congregation, it has taken place. Jehovah's Witnesses as an organization are no exception. Jesus will fix it. I do not condone the behavior of those radical ones who would resort to unchristian behavior to try to force a change, either by lobbying or mobbing or protesting. But I do not think it is a sin for people to expose wrong behaviors in the organization. Jehovah said we are to be His witnesses, and witnesses speak out the truth.
 
Jehovah Himself sent many prophets in the past to expose the wrong things going on in His organization on earth - Moses, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc. Jesus exposed the Pharisees and scribes. He said we should keep following him. As long as there is corruption in the organization, Jesus will keep pouring out Jehovah's holy spirit to raise up witnesses of such things, for the sake of Jehovah's holy name.
 
I wish the elder arrangement was perfect, but Paul and John and Peter and Jude said it wouldn't be. I can see that if you were an elder locally, you would adhere to what is written in the Bible, and maybe none of these things that happened here perhaps would have happened, but not everyone is like you. I wish there were more elders like you. I am thankful that there are many integrity keepers on earth today. Jesus is looking for such ones. May Jehovah keep blessing you for your integrity, @SpaceMerchant.

"So the disciples came and said to him: “Why do you speak to them by the use of illustrations?”  In reply he said: “To you it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the Kingdom of the heavens, but to them it is not granted.  For whoever has, more will be given him, and he will be made to abound; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.  That is why I speak to them by the use of illustrations; for looking, they look in vain, and hearing, they hear in vain, nor do they get the sense of it.  And the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled in their case. It says: ‘You will indeed hear but by no means get the sense of it, and you will indeed look but by no means see.  For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes, so that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back and I heal them."
 
When people didn't understand him, Jesus taught via illustrations. 
 
The following two videos are wonderful illustrations by "Kevin McFree" that helps to explain why disfellowshipping and other related manmade traditions are antichrist. (I do not agree with everything Kevin believes, but I do agree that his illustration is accurate and exposes the hypocrisy of shunning in the congregation.)
 
 

(It is interesting that the slanderer WallyMcNasty/MoiseRacette/BillytheKid/Dmitar/AllenSmith/etc/etc refuses to use Jehovah's name.)
 
"Jephʹthah then gathered all the men of Gilʹe·ad, and they fought Eʹphra·im; the men of Gilʹe·ad defeated Eʹphra·im, who had said: “You are only fugitives from Eʹphra·im, you Gilʹe·ad·ites in Eʹphra·im and Ma·nasʹseh.” Gilʹe·ad captured the fords of the Jordan ahead of Eʹphra·im; and when the men of Eʹphra·im were trying to escape, they would say, “Let me cross over”; then the men of Gilʹe·ad would ask each one, “Are you an Eʹphra·im·ite?” When he would reply, “No!”  they would say to him, “Please say Shibʹbo·leth.” But he would say, “Sibʹbo·leth,” as he was unable to say the word correctly. Then they would seize him and slay him at the fords of the Jordan. So 42,000 Eʹphra·im·ites fell at that time."
 
Hey, let's try the "Shibboleth/Sibboleth" test!
 
Ahem, hello there @Jonathan Tate Rollins, could you please answer a question? You must be one of Jehovah's Witnesses, right, since this is the Jehovah's Witness forum? Can you answer this question: what is the name of the True God? 

Moise Racette, under many names here (being expelled many times for slander and general extreme nastiness and reappearing, evading multiple bans on this site …) has apparently resurfaced as JTRMcNasty as a further attempt to slander and misrepresent me.
Every personna he has assumed here has been vile and nasty, eventually having him banned, each dedicated to denegrating others and slandering them, but seemingly focused on me because I destroy his pretentious, arrogant and false premises with simple reason and logic.

I was commonly known here as JTR, before I switched to Pudgy, which is common knowledge that I have acknowledged, and his adopting the name “JTRMcNasty” is merely a further attempt to slander me.
What he does not seem to realize is that he is trying to slander me … WITH HIS OWN NATURAL PERSONALITY!
Several people have seen the Handel “JTRMcNasty”, but I have not.
No matter what name he resurfaces as, in two posts it is crystal clear we are dealing with the same old obsessive, agenda driven, deceptive person that I branded as “Wally McNasty”, a descriptive name for anybody the shoe fits, that I made up.

Memorial Talk, video, link, transcript
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LV-85EyVJX9n3hyc0E8zENsuHzSbd9PC/view?usp=share_link

Memorial talk.mp4  
"Well this is a very special occasion and it's nice to be together. You could be doing other things this evening, but you decided to be here with us on this special occasion, and we welcome you.
 
Perhaps this is the first time you've been to a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses. Maybe a friend or a family member invited you. Maybe you received a personal invitation to come. Welcome.
 
Or perhaps you came because your parents came, and you wanted to be with them. Or perhaps you're a witness of Jehovah. You have faithfully attended the Memorial the last five, ten, twenty or more years. You would risk your life to be here. Well for whatever reason that you're here this evening, we welcome you. There is absolutely no better place that you could be then to be here this evening. This is the most important event that you will attend all year.
 
Why is that? It's because Jesus, nearly 2,000 years ago today, gave his life so that we would have the opportunity to gain everlasting life. And so that his faithful companions would not forget the significance of what he did, he arranged for it to be remembered in a very simple ceremony. 
 
Let's open our Bibles to Luke chapter 22. And let's look in on this event and what Jesus said. Luke chapter 22. Now here's the scene. Maybe you can picture it there. Jesus, with his faithful followers. It's Nisan 14. The year is 33 CE, and they're there celebrating the Passover. Now, in front of his eleven faithful apostles, Jesus introduces something new. Notice what that is, Luke chapter 22, and let's look at verses 19 and 20.
 
Luke 22:19,20 it says: "Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them saying, 'This means my body, which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.' Also, he did the same with the cup after they had the evening meal, saying, 'This cup means the new covenant, by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf.'"
 
What Jesus instituted here was the first Lord's Evening Meal. And did you notice the phrase there at the end of verse 19? He says "keep doing this in remembrance of me." Jesus did not want us to forget the significance of what was taking place. So he arranged for it to be remembered in a very simple ceremony. And so in obedience to this command millions of people around the earth will observe the Lord's Evening Meal just like we are. 
 
See this is a global event. For within a 24 hour period, people all over the earth, from the villages of Africa to the arctic of Greenland, to the outback in Australia to deep into the Amazon forest, will be gathered together in settings just like we are to remember the significance of what Jesus did for us. In fact, last year 20,919,041 observed the Lord's Evening Meal worldwide [note, this talk is from several years prior so the actual numbers for last year were higher] so you can see this is not our usual meeting of instruction from the Bible that we as Jehovah's Witnesses hold. This is a special meeting, a Memorial meal, commemorating the death of Jesus.
 
And just as Jesus wanted to, it's going to help us call to mind the loving provision that Jehovah and Jesus has given us so we can gain everlasting life. And in order for us to really capture the significance of what Jesus did and what Jehovah arranged, we're going to briefly answer four questions. Here's the four questions: one, how does Jesus' death open the way to everlasting life; two, who benefit from Jesus' loving ransom sacrifice; three, who partake of the bread and the wine; and four, besides attending this meeting, what else can we do to show our appreciation?
 
So let's consider that first one: why did someone need to open the way for us to gain everlasting life? Why did Jesus' death open the way for everlasting life? Well the answer is found for us in Romans chapter five. Let's go there. Romans chapter five. And notice the situation that man has found themselves in, and why it was necessary for Jesus' death, or how Jesus' death opens the way for everlasting life. Romans chapter five, notice verse twelve: "That is why just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they all had sinned."
 
Do you see the situation that mankind is in and why? Because of the sin, or the disobedience, of one man, Adam, all are affected by it. And just as Adam lost the prospect for everlasting life because he disobeyed God, he passed on to us, his children, the only thing he could: sin and death. 
 
You see, it's like we're confined to prison, and the eventuality of death because of a crime someone else committed. Adam had the prospect, with his wife Eve, to fill the earth with the perfect human family in paradise conditions. But because he sinned, or disobeyed Jehovah, he lost the opportunity to live forever.
 
Now, as we see from the scripture, none of us can get around this. All of us are born, we grow old, and we die. We cannot reverse the situation. And that's where the loving provision of Jehovah and Jesus come in.
 
You see the question is, can anyone, any one of Adam's descendants, including you and I, ever hope to be delivered from this situation? Yes. You see, Jehovah, because of His intense love for us, arranged for His son, His firstborn, Jesus, to come to earth as a perfect human. And then Jesus willingly surrendered his perfect life to counterbalance what Adam had lost, and to give us the opportunity to gain everlasting life.
 
Notice how that's described in Romans chapter five. Look at verse 19. Romans five, and notice verse 19. It says: "For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one person many will be made righteous."
 
Adam set his descendants on the path of destruction when he sinned and disobeyed. Jesus, because of his obedience to death, gives us the opportunity to gain everlasting life back.
 
Now we might wonder, though, why was it necessary for Jesus, who was perfect, to die. Why did he have to surrender his life? Well, let's go over to Hebrews chapter two and verse nine, and we're going to see what that death allows for mankind, for you and I. Hebrews chapter two, notice verse nine. It says: "But we do see Jesus, who was made a little lower than angels, now crowned with glory and honor for having suffered death. So that by God's undeserved kindness he might taste death for everyone."
 
Jesus, giving his perfect life, tasted death for everyone. See, go back to our illustration of being confined in prison, and being basically put on death row. Nothing we can do to change our circumstances. Well, how would we feel if someone came in and took our place and freed us. We'd be grateful, wouldn't we. Well that's exactly what Jesus has done. 
 
Jesus has died for all of us, so that we could have the opportunity, not to eventually die and go out of existence, but to gain everlasting life. Doesn't it warm our heart to think of the intense love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us? Doesn't it make us want to appreciate what they've done for us?
 
But life where? Where is this everlasting life to be? Is it in heaven? Or is it on earth? Well that brings us to our second question: who benefit from Jesus' loving sacrifice? Well the Bible describes two distinct hopes for those who will gain everlasting life to take advantage of the sacrifice that Jesus gave in our behalf. The first one is described at Revelation 14. Let's turn our Bibles there to Revelation chapter 14.
 
And let's consider verse one. It says: "Then I saw, and look, the Lamb," Jesus, "standing on Mount Zion," or in heaven, and notice, "with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his father written on their foreheads." So there is a limited group, 144,000, who will join Jesus in heaven with everlasting life so they can rule with Jesus. And just as a government has a set number, the Bible describes this ruling class joined with Jesus as a set number: 144,000.
 
So the Bible describes a very small group, an anointed group, 144,000, gaining everlasting life in heaven. Well, what's the second hope? The second hope is for the majority of mankind who take advantage of this ransom sacrifice. They will enjoy a beautiful paradise earth, living forever on it, just as Jehovah originally purposed. So the vast majority here this evening attending the Lord's Evening Meal are not of the heavenly hope. They're of the earthly hope. And really it's exciting to contemplate the blessings that's going to come to those who are going to live forever here on earth.
 
The Bible holds out a beautiful future, the real life, for those who will live forever. For example, open our Bibles to Isaiah, chapter 35. And notice how it describes our physical condition. Isaiah chapter 35, notice verses five and six. It says: "At that time, the eyes of blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. At that time the lame will leap like the deer, and the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy, for waters will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert plain." Can you picture that?
 
All our infirmities gone. All our ailments cured. And really, isn't that what Jesus did when he was on earth? He gave a fore gleam of that by curing ones of their ailments. Isaiah gives a promise from Jehovah that that will be our permanent health condition. Perfect, without these ailments. And it doesn't end there. The Bible's filled with promises regarding this future paradise earth.
 
You know Isaiah describes it as a paradise condition where man will be in harmony with the environment and at peace with the animals. It also describes that we will be able to build our own homes, and us and our families to occupy them and to be able to worship Jehovah together as a family. What a beautiful hope Jehovah gives to those who will gain everlasting life on earth.
 
Now, the Bible gave a very definite number of who go to heaven. But for earth, it's open to all who gain everlasting life by means of God's undeserved kindness, because of their taking advantage of Jehovah's provision and following his requirements.
 
So it's up to us whether we want to take advantage of this provision, show appreciation for what Jehovah and Jesus have done for us. We decide whether we want to serve Jehovah forever, and whether we want to gain everlasting life. But it's Jehovah who decides where each of his servants will serve. Jehovah decides whether one has the heavenly calling, anointed, and will gain everlasting life in heaven. It's Jehovah who decides who will live here forever on earth.
 
And just as we can't decide where we're going to be born, it's only Jehovah who decides who will be born again with the heavenly hope. 
 
Well now that takes us to our third question: who should partake of the bread and wine. Now it's clear from the scriptures that both those who have the heavenly hope and the earthly hope have a very special place in Jehovah's arrangement. But who is it that partakes of this bread and wine? Well those with the earthly hope who make up the vast majority in attendance do not partake of the emblems.
 
Well, why not? Well go back to the scripture we read in Luke. Remember the scene? Jesus was there with his eleven faithful apostles. And what did he institute? A covenant for a heavenly kingdom. So it's only those who are going to gain everlasting life in heaven who would partake of the emblems here. Now for the majority of us then, we're not going to partake. But it's very fitting that we're here. It's much like attending a wedding. See, the bride and the groom are the ones who share in the vows. But we're in attendance to show our support and share in the joyful occasion. 
 
Now how does someone know, though, if they have the heavenly calling? Let's go to Romans chapter eight. And Jehovah has given us an indication of how this calling works, and how one can determine if he's received it. Notice in Romans chapter eight, and let's focus in on verse 15. We're going to read verses 15, 16 and 17. It says: "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you've received a spirit of adoption as sons by which spirit we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'" Now how did they receive this? Verse 16: "The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God's children. If we are children, we are also heirs, heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together so that we may also be glorified together."
 
So did you notice in verse 16? Who is it that tells ones whether they have this heavenly calling? It's Jehovah's spirit, the most powerful force in the universe. It is the one who indicates to an individual whether they have the heavenly hope. So it's not an emotional decision. It's not something that someone else tells us we have. But it's an unmistakable assurance from God's spirit. 
 
Now we can understand that, can't we, how the spirit would bear witness, would get the attention, of those who have this calling. Don't we know how to get the attention of individuals? See, if you want to get someone's attention in a crowd, what do you do? You may call out their name. You may point to them. You may gesture in a way to get their attention so that you can convey something important. Well likewise Jehovah, the most powerful personage in the universe, through His spirit, the most powerful force, can make it unmistakably sure to individuals that they have this calling, that they are going to leave this earth and the paradise that's promised and to enjoy everlasting life in heaven. 
 
Now how would Jehovah feel though if those who have not received this invitation from Him, from His spirit, would partake of the emblems? Well it would displease Him if someone would pretend, or if someone would partake of the emblems even though they have not received that invitation. So we're very thankful that Jehovah gives it very clear, unmistakable proof, through His spirit, on who will have this heavenly hope. 
 
Now how long will we commemorate Jesus' death? The answer is found for us in First Corinthians chapter 11. First Corinthians chapter 11, and notice verse 26: "For whenever you eat this loaf and drink this cup you keep proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes." So you see that there is a time frame for when the Memorial commemoration of Christ's Death, the Lord's Evening Meal, would be celebrated, and there's an end time to it. Did you notice? "Until he comes."
 
So during the great tribulation, when Jesus calls the rest of the anointed remnant here on earth with him, then the commemoration of the Lord's Evening Meal will cease. And just as those who have the earthly hope do not need to partake now to have everlasting life, they don't need to partake then to have everlasting life. What a beautiful arrangement by Jehovah and Jesus.
 
Now let's just take a moment and review what we've discussed so far. First of all, how does Jesus' death open the way to everlasting life? Remember, Jehovah through his intense love for us arranged for His son to come to earth, and Jesus was willing as a perfect man to surrender his life in exchange for what Adam lost so that faithful followers would have the opportunity to gain everlasting life. 
 
And who benefit from this loving sacrifice? Well remember, there's two distinct hopes described in the Bible. There's 144,000 who will gain everlasting life in heaven, and there's a vast majority, a large group, who will gain everlasting life here on paradise earth. And do you remember who partake of the bread and wine? It's only those who have the heavenly calling.
 
So now we're ready. We're ready to observe the Lord's Evening Meal.
 
[Pause to pray and pass emblems.]
 
Well this takes us now to our fourth and final question. Besides attending this meeting, what else can we do to show appreciation for what God and Christ have done for us? Well from what we've discussed, it's evident that Jehovah wants us to be a member of His family. He's gone to great lengths so that we could gain everlasting life, to be able to worship Him forever. 
 
This has opened up a way for a special relationship with Him. So He's willing to help us to gain this everlasting life. He has by providing the ransom. He will as we continue to try to meet up and strive to fulfill His requirements. Yes, just as any household we join, there's requirements. Jehovah's family of worshippers also follow His requirements. And if you ever feel that you can't measure up to Jehovah's requirements, it's too difficult, remember Jehovah is ready to help you. He's ready to help you obey, and to support you. If you ever feel overwhelmed or discouraged, go to Jehovah in earnest prayer. He will listen. He loves you very much, and He wants you to enjoy everlasting life forever.
 
So maybe you're here for the first time this evening. It certainly important that you came. And we're glad you did. Be assured that Jehovah God and Jesus have taken note of the effort you put forth to be here in attendance. We encourage you to take further action. Learn more about Jehovah's  promises, and the beautiful future that He has in store for you and your family.
 
Now if you've been studying the Bible but you're not yet baptized, continue working toward that goal. Build faith in His promises. Build faith in the ransom sacrifice that makes it possible to take in this knowledge of God. And as your faith grows you will have the strength to fulfill the other requirements of repentance, conversion, dedication and baptism. A dedicated life to Jehovah God.
 
Now perhaps there are some of you who have associated with Jehovah's people in the past. And we'd like to say to you, for whatever reason you left in the past, Jehovah can right any wrong. You see, what matters now is Jehovah wants you back. And really, the world has nothing to offer compared to the intense love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us. We encourage you to take the steps to return to Jehovah so you will enjoy worshipping Him forever.
 
And then there's those of us who are active, baptized servants of Jehovah. Be determined to remain faithful to your dedication to God. Continue to take in the knowledge from your daily Bible reading, your attendance at the meetings weekly, regularly, not just on special occasions such as this. As you do so, your love for Jehovah is going to grow, and the more you love Jehovah, the more you love Jesus, the more you are willing to do for them. It will motivate you to continue in your faithful service.
 
Yes, it's heartwarming for us to consider what Jehovah and Jesus have done for us. And in just a few minutes we're all going to walk out these doors tonight, and we're going to go back to our life. Remember, this is not the life that God intended for you. The life where we're born under sin and our eventuality is death is not what Jehovah wants you to experience in the future. Jehovah has shown us that He loves us, and He's willing to help us continue to serve Him.
 
And if you ever feel like you don't measure up, and if you need the motivation to be able to meet up to His requirements, keep close in mind the beautiful scripture at Second Corinthians chapter five. Let's go there together. Second Corinthians, chapter five, notice verses 14 and 15. It says: "For the love the Christ has compels us, because this is what we've concluded, that one man died for all, so then all had died, and he died for all so that those who live should live no longer for themselves but for him  who died for them and was raised up." 
 
Do you notice there in verse 14? "For the love the Christ has compels us." When we meditate and think about the intense love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us, what they've done for us, how they saw our condition and the great effort they put forth to give us life, it compels us to live our life for them, to want to serve them, and to be a part of their family. 
 
Yes, Jehovah and Jesus love you. They want you to worship Jehovah forever. They want you to be a part of this universal, beautiful family that's going to enjoy life forever. They want you a part of it. Therefore, let all of us choose life, and keep showing our appreciation for what God and Christ have done for us."

AGSoCJ … your perception of who is who, and what is what here is so totally screwed up even your false premises have false premises.
But, seeing that I am an uncivilized Barbarian at heart, I am going to not correct you.
Cruel, yes …. but you are just too much work.
 

Most peoples are.
That’s why we need the Memorial.

Here is what I have to say: He is my brother. James Thomas Rook is my brother. Yes, I already told you that. 
 
"I told you already, and yet you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again?"
 
Did you know he can do a really good Kermit the frog impression? I think you already did know that too, (because you have been on this forum for longer than just a few months). Do you want to hear it again?
 
https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/topic/89749-just-a-little-experiment/?do=findComment&comment=169144
 
I can also sing like a frog, as you can see if you go to the status update in my profile. 
 
There is a difference between singing like a frog and acting like a frog. I think we already had a conversation on this in the past...
 
https://www.theworldnewsmedia.org/topic/90152-daily-text-for-october-8-2022/?do=findComment&comment=179175
 
@Moise, I am busy the rest of the afternoon/evening, so I won't be able to respond to any more of your shenanigans today. Hope you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon.🐸😁🎶

(...oh, and one more thing @Moise/Allen/Dmitar/whoever-you-are-today...we all saw how you invented that "JTRMcNasty" handle last night, so if you plan on coming on here and pretending to be Pudgy aka James, you aren't fooling anybody. "Even a child is known by his actions, Whether his behavior is pure and right."  "The way of a guilty man is crooked, But the activity of the pure man is upright." "The light of the righteous shines brightly, But the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.")
 
"Jehovah is God; 
He gives us light.  
Join in the festival procession with branches in hand, 
Up to the horns of the altar.  
You are my God, and I will praise you; 
My God, I will exalt you.  
Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; 
His loyal love endures forever."

(...oh, and one more thing @Moise/Allen/Dmitar/whoever-you-are-today...we all saw how you invented that "JTRMcNasty" handle last night, so if you plan on coming on here and pretending to be Pudgy aka James, you aren't fooling anybody. "Even a child is known by his actions, Whether his behavior is pure and right."  "The way of a guilty man is crooked, But the activity of the pure man is upright." "The light of the righteous shines brightly, But the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.")
 
"Jehovah is God; 
He gives us light.  
Join in the festival procession with branches in hand, 
Up to the horns of the altar.  
You are my God, and I will praise you; 
My God, I will exalt you.  
Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; 
His loyal love endures forever."

"In that day Jehovah of armies will become a glorious crown and a beautiful garland to those left of his people. And he will become a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment and a source of mightiness to those who repel the attack at the gate."
😁

(video slideshow from illustrations/music provided by Jehovah's organization)
Memorial Slideshow Link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hs7xDDai0_ut_4LCPA25xMW7sfE8HKFp/view?usp=share_link

IMG_6438.MOV

(Screenshots from Memorial Talk Video, speaker is Brother Troy Snyder)
 

"There are six things that Jehovah hates; 
Yes, seven things that he detests:  
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 
A heart plotting wicked schemes, and feet that run quickly to evil, 
A false witness who lies with every breath, 
And anyone sowing contentions among brothers."
 
 
 
 
 
"A faithful witness will not lie, 
But a false witness lies with every breath."
 
"A true witness saves lives, 
But a deceitful one lies with every breath."
 
"A false witness will not go unpunished, 
And the one who lies with every breath will not escape."
 
"A false witness will not go unpunished, 
And the one who lies with every breath will perish."
 
 
 
WallyMcNasty/MoiseRacette/Dmitar/AllenSmith/JTRMcNasty/etc/etc...you can make extra profiles or change your profile handle to "Good Soldier of Christ" if you want to, but that doesn't change that you are a false witness; it just magnifies how false your witness is. If you refuse to change your bad attitude, you will receive your wages for unrighteousness when Jesus comes to make an accounting.
 
"The wicked one earns deceptive wages, 
But the one who sows righteousness receives a true reward."
 
Pudgy is my brother in the Lord. He is a true witness of Jehovah and a real soldier of Christ. He will receive his wages for righteousness when Jesus comes to make an accounting. 
 
"Now if anyone builds on the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will be shown for what it is, for the day will show it up, because it will be revealed by means of fire, and the fire itself will prove what sort of work each one has built.  If anyone’s work that he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward."
 
Now Allen or (whatever name you want to be called today) I suggest you go find a nice cozy corner somewhere and think about what you did that was naughty. Go have your coffee (maybe you should make it decaf). Perhaps if you say "sorry" and work on modifying your behavior you might feel a little less troll-ish and have more success acting like a man made in God's image instead of pushing everybody away all the time with your lying problem. Jehovah is the Living God. The ransom is enough for you if you accept it. If the ransom is enough for Manasseh and Naaman and Simon the magician and the Legion guy, then surely it is enough for you. Why don't you turn around and play nice for a change? "Jehovah Causes to Become" and He will help you if you let Him.
 
Hope you guys have a nice day today.🥰
 
"Jehovah guards all those who love him, 
But all the wicked he will annihilate.
My mouth will declare the praise of Jehovah; 
Let every living thing praise his holy name forever and ever."

@Moise Racette/@EsADmf...Having googled your handle "esadmf" it is clear to anyone with eyes in their head that you are not the God-loving person who you claim to be. Your conduct makes clear to others as well that you have an unclean spirit. Jehovah will rebuke your legion for your continued slander of His friends. 
 
In the meantime, your continued reproach of righteous ones just proves the truth of this verse: "If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, yes, the spirit of God, is resting upon you," and "Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake.  Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you."
 
There are many faithful witnesses of Jehovah on this forum. I am also one of Jehovah's witnesses and I am a faithful integrity keeper. It is no secret to anyone who has been on this forum that I do not agree with everything that is currently published by the organization, but I have also been perfectly clear that I am confident Jehovah will clean and refine His organization because His Name is upon it. There are weeds and there is wheat, and Jesus will send his angels to remove the weeds and protect the wheat. I have confidence in my Lord, and will continue to stand by his side because I love him and he is my Lord and he is faithful.
 
I am not perfect, but I am not a slanderer like you Allen/MoiseRacette/WallyMcNasty/etc/etc/etc. I do not have any other accounts on this forum. I am not an apostate. I am not a blasphemer. I am not a heretic. I am a faithful anointed member of the bride of Christ and I am not ashamed of my Lord or my relationship with him. I am proud of him. I am proud of what he has done and what he continues to do. I love him. And I love my Father Jehovah. I will also boast in Jehovah. I will continue to follow the lead of His holy spirit . You would be wise to back off with your slander and reproach. The Lord is near. And Jehovah is listening.
 
"You believe that there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder."
 
The little sheep will continue to be fed by the Lord, and he can use even the lowliest ones of mankind to deliver food if he chooses. Jehovah is praised in this, and He will continue to be praised in this.
 
"And war broke out in heaven: Miʹcha·el and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.  I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God!  And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death.  On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.”
 
Jesus already conquered when he said "It has been accomplished!" The fulfillment of the rest of the prophecies is just a matter of time. Every Word that God has spoken will come true, because "He Causes to Become".
 
Praise Jehovah.
 
(I have nothing further to say to you at present, @Moise Racette and your legion. Good night.)
 
 

@Moise Racette/@EsADmf...Having googled your handle "esadmf" it is clear to anyone with eyes in their head that you are not the God-loving person who you claim to be. Your conduct makes clear to others as well that you have an unclean spirit. Jehovah will rebuke your legion for your continued slander of His friends. 
 
In the meantime, your continued reproach of righteous ones just proves the truth of this verse: "If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, yes, the spirit of God, is resting upon you," and "Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake.  Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you."
 
There are many faithful witnesses of Jehovah on this forum. I am also one of Jehovah's witnesses and I am a faithful integrity keeper. It is no secret to anyone who has been on this forum that I do not agree with everything that is currently published by the organization, but I have also been perfectly clear that I am confident Jehovah will clean and refine His organization because His Name is upon it. There are weeds and there is wheat, and Jesus will send his angels to remove the weeds and protect the wheat. I have confidence in my Lord, and will continue to stand by his side because I love him and he is my Lord and he is faithful.
 
I am not perfect, but I am not a slanderer like you Allen/MoiseRacette/WallyMcNasty/etc/etc/etc. I do not have any other accounts on this forum. I am not an apostate. I am not a blasphemer. I am not a heretic. I am a faithful anointed member of the bride of Christ and I am not ashamed of my Lord or my relationship with him. I am proud of him. I am proud of what he has done and what he continues to do. I love him. And I love my Father Jehovah. I will also boast in Jehovah. I will continue to follow the lead of His holy spirit . You would be wise to back off with your slander and reproach. The Lord is near. And Jehovah is listening.
 
"You believe that there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder."
 
The little sheep will continue to be fed by the Lord, and he can use even the lowliest ones of mankind to deliver food if he chooses. Jehovah is praised in this, and He will continue to be praised in this.
 
"And war broke out in heaven: Miʹcha·el and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.  I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God!  And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death.  On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.”
 
Jesus already conquered when he said "It has been accomplished!" The fulfillment of the rest of the prophecies is just a matter of time. Every Word that God has spoken will come true, because "He Causes to Become".
 
Praise Jehovah.
 
(I have nothing further to say to you at present, @Moise Racette and your legion. Good night.)
 
 

Memorial Talk, video, link, transcript
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LV-85EyVJX9n3hyc0E8zENsuHzSbd9PC/view?usp=share_link

Memorial talk.mp4  
"Well this is a very special occasion and it's nice to be together. You could be doing other things this evening, but you decided to be here with us on this special occasion, and we welcome you.
 
Perhaps this is the first time you've been to a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses. Maybe a friend or a family member invited you. Maybe you received a personal invitation to come. Welcome.
 
Or perhaps you came because your parents came, and you wanted to be with them. Or perhaps you're a witness of Jehovah. You have faithfully attended the Memorial the last five, ten, twenty or more years. You would risk your life to be here. Well for whatever reason that you're here this evening, we welcome you. There is absolutely no better place that you could be then to be here this evening. This is the most important event that you will attend all year.
 
Why is that? It's because Jesus, nearly 2,000 years ago today, gave his life so that we would have the opportunity to gain everlasting life. And so that his faithful companions would not forget the significance of what he did, he arranged for it to be remembered in a very simple ceremony. 
 
Let's open our Bibles to Luke chapter 22. And let's look in on this event and what Jesus said. Luke chapter 22. Now here's the scene. Maybe you can picture it there. Jesus, with his faithful followers. It's Nisan 14. The year is 33 CE, and they're there celebrating the Passover. Now, in front of his eleven faithful apostles, Jesus introduces something new. Notice what that is, Luke chapter 22, and let's look at verses 19 and 20.
 
Luke 22:19,20 it says: "Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them saying, 'This means my body, which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.' Also, he did the same with the cup after they had the evening meal, saying, 'This cup means the new covenant, by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf.'"
 
What Jesus instituted here was the first Lord's Evening Meal. And did you notice the phrase there at the end of verse 19? He says "keep doing this in remembrance of me." Jesus did not want us to forget the significance of what was taking place. So he arranged for it to be remembered in a very simple ceremony. And so in obedience to this command millions of people around the earth will observe the Lord's Evening Meal just like we are. 
 
See this is a global event. For within a 24 hour period, people all over the earth, from the villages of Africa to the arctic of Greenland, to the outback in Australia to deep into the Amazon forest, will be gathered together in settings just like we are to remember the significance of what Jesus did for us. In fact, last year 20,919,041 observed the Lord's Evening Meal worldwide [note, this talk is from several years prior so the actual numbers for last year were higher] so you can see this is not our usual meeting of instruction from the Bible that we as Jehovah's Witnesses hold. This is a special meeting, a Memorial meal, commemorating the death of Jesus.
 
And just as Jesus wanted to, it's going to help us call to mind the loving provision that Jehovah and Jesus has given us so we can gain everlasting life. And in order for us to really capture the significance of what Jesus did and what Jehovah arranged, we're going to briefly answer four questions. Here's the four questions: one, how does Jesus' death open the way to everlasting life; two, who benefit from Jesus' loving ransom sacrifice; three, who partake of the bread and the wine; and four, besides attending this meeting, what else can we do to show our appreciation?
 
So let's consider that first one: why did someone need to open the way for us to gain everlasting life? Why did Jesus' death open the way for everlasting life? Well the answer is found for us in Romans chapter five. Let's go there. Romans chapter five. And notice the situation that man has found themselves in, and why it was necessary for Jesus' death, or how Jesus' death opens the way for everlasting life. Romans chapter five, notice verse twelve: "That is why just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they all had sinned."
 
Do you see the situation that mankind is in and why? Because of the sin, or the disobedience, of one man, Adam, all are affected by it. And just as Adam lost the prospect for everlasting life because he disobeyed God, he passed on to us, his children, the only thing he could: sin and death. 
 
You see, it's like we're confined to prison, and the eventuality of death because of a crime someone else committed. Adam had the prospect, with his wife Eve, to fill the earth with the perfect human family in paradise conditions. But because he sinned, or disobeyed Jehovah, he lost the opportunity to live forever.
 
Now, as we see from the scripture, none of us can get around this. All of us are born, we grow old, and we die. We cannot reverse the situation. And that's where the loving provision of Jehovah and Jesus come in.
 
You see the question is, can anyone, any one of Adam's descendants, including you and I, ever hope to be delivered from this situation? Yes. You see, Jehovah, because of His intense love for us, arranged for His son, His firstborn, Jesus, to come to earth as a perfect human. And then Jesus willingly surrendered his perfect life to counterbalance what Adam had lost, and to give us the opportunity to gain everlasting life.
 
Notice how that's described in Romans chapter five. Look at verse 19. Romans five, and notice verse 19. It says: "For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one person many will be made righteous."
 
Adam set his descendants on the path of destruction when he sinned and disobeyed. Jesus, because of his obedience to death, gives us the opportunity to gain everlasting life back.
 
Now we might wonder, though, why was it necessary for Jesus, who was perfect, to die. Why did he have to surrender his life? Well, let's go over to Hebrews chapter two and verse nine, and we're going to see what that death allows for mankind, for you and I. Hebrews chapter two, notice verse nine. It says: "But we do see Jesus, who was made a little lower than angels, now crowned with glory and honor for having suffered death. So that by God's undeserved kindness he might taste death for everyone."
 
Jesus, giving his perfect life, tasted death for everyone. See, go back to our illustration of being confined in prison, and being basically put on death row. Nothing we can do to change our circumstances. Well, how would we feel if someone came in and took our place and freed us. We'd be grateful, wouldn't we. Well that's exactly what Jesus has done. 
 
Jesus has died for all of us, so that we could have the opportunity, not to eventually die and go out of existence, but to gain everlasting life. Doesn't it warm our heart to think of the intense love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us? Doesn't it make us want to appreciate what they've done for us?
 
But life where? Where is this everlasting life to be? Is it in heaven? Or is it on earth? Well that brings us to our second question: who benefit from Jesus' loving sacrifice? Well the Bible describes two distinct hopes for those who will gain everlasting life to take advantage of the sacrifice that Jesus gave in our behalf. The first one is described at Revelation 14. Let's turn our Bibles there to Revelation chapter 14.
 
And let's consider verse one. It says: "Then I saw, and look, the Lamb," Jesus, "standing on Mount Zion," or in heaven, and notice, "with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his father written on their foreheads." So there is a limited group, 144,000, who will join Jesus in heaven with everlasting life so they can rule with Jesus. And just as a government has a set number, the Bible describes this ruling class joined with Jesus as a set number: 144,000.
 
So the Bible describes a very small group, an anointed group, 144,000, gaining everlasting life in heaven. Well, what's the second hope? The second hope is for the majority of mankind who take advantage of this ransom sacrifice. They will enjoy a beautiful paradise earth, living forever on it, just as Jehovah originally purposed. So the vast majority here this evening attending the Lord's Evening Meal are not of the heavenly hope. They're of the earthly hope. And really it's exciting to contemplate the blessings that's going to come to those who are going to live forever here on earth.
 
The Bible holds out a beautiful future, the real life, for those who will live forever. For example, open our Bibles to Isaiah, chapter 35. And notice how it describes our physical condition. Isaiah chapter 35, notice verses five and six. It says: "At that time, the eyes of blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. At that time the lame will leap like the deer, and the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy, for waters will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert plain." Can you picture that?
 
All our infirmities gone. All our ailments cured. And really, isn't that what Jesus did when he was on earth? He gave a fore gleam of that by curing ones of their ailments. Isaiah gives a promise from Jehovah that that will be our permanent health condition. Perfect, without these ailments. And it doesn't end there. The Bible's filled with promises regarding this future paradise earth.
 
You know Isaiah describes it as a paradise condition where man will be in harmony with the environment and at peace with the animals. It also describes that we will be able to build our own homes, and us and our families to occupy them and to be able to worship Jehovah together as a family. What a beautiful hope Jehovah gives to those who will gain everlasting life on earth.
 
Now, the Bible gave a very definite number of who go to heaven. But for earth, it's open to all who gain everlasting life by means of God's undeserved kindness, because of their taking advantage of Jehovah's provision and following his requirements.
 
So it's up to us whether we want to take advantage of this provision, show appreciation for what Jehovah and Jesus have done for us. We decide whether we want to serve Jehovah forever, and whether we want to gain everlasting life. But it's Jehovah who decides where each of his servants will serve. Jehovah decides whether one has the heavenly calling, anointed, and will gain everlasting life in heaven. It's Jehovah who decides who will live here forever on earth.
 
And just as we can't decide where we're going to be born, it's only Jehovah who decides who will be born again with the heavenly hope. 
 
Well now that takes us to our third question: who should partake of the bread and wine. Now it's clear from the scriptures that both those who have the heavenly hope and the earthly hope have a very special place in Jehovah's arrangement. But who is it that partakes of this bread and wine? Well those with the earthly hope who make up the vast majority in attendance do not partake of the emblems.
 
Well, why not? Well go back to the scripture we read in Luke. Remember the scene? Jesus was there with his eleven faithful apostles. And what did he institute? A covenant for a heavenly kingdom. So it's only those who are going to gain everlasting life in heaven who would partake of the emblems here. Now for the majority of us then, we're not going to partake. But it's very fitting that we're here. It's much like attending a wedding. See, the bride and the groom are the ones who share in the vows. But we're in attendance to show our support and share in the joyful occasion. 
 
Now how does someone know, though, if they have the heavenly calling? Let's go to Romans chapter eight. And Jehovah has given us an indication of how this calling works, and how one can determine if he's received it. Notice in Romans chapter eight, and let's focus in on verse 15. We're going to read verses 15, 16 and 17. It says: "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you've received a spirit of adoption as sons by which spirit we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'" Now how did they receive this? Verse 16: "The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God's children. If we are children, we are also heirs, heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together so that we may also be glorified together."
 
So did you notice in verse 16? Who is it that tells ones whether they have this heavenly calling? It's Jehovah's spirit, the most powerful force in the universe. It is the one who indicates to an individual whether they have the heavenly hope. So it's not an emotional decision. It's not something that someone else tells us we have. But it's an unmistakable assurance from God's spirit. 
 
Now we can understand that, can't we, how the spirit would bear witness, would get the attention, of those who have this calling. Don't we know how to get the attention of individuals? See, if you want to get someone's attention in a crowd, what do you do? You may call out their name. You may point to them. You may gesture in a way to get their attention so that you can convey something important. Well likewise Jehovah, the most powerful personage in the universe, through His spirit, the most powerful force, can make it unmistakably sure to individuals that they have this calling, that they are going to leave this earth and the paradise that's promised and to enjoy everlasting life in heaven. 
 
Now how would Jehovah feel though if those who have not received this invitation from Him, from His spirit, would partake of the emblems? Well it would displease Him if someone would pretend, or if someone would partake of the emblems even though they have not received that invitation. So we're very thankful that Jehovah gives it very clear, unmistakable proof, through His spirit, on who will have this heavenly hope. 
 
Now how long will we commemorate Jesus' death? The answer is found for us in First Corinthians chapter 11. First Corinthians chapter 11, and notice verse 26: "For whenever you eat this loaf and drink this cup you keep proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes." So you see that there is a time frame for when the Memorial commemoration of Christ's Death, the Lord's Evening Meal, would be celebrated, and there's an end time to it. Did you notice? "Until he comes."
 
So during the great tribulation, when Jesus calls the rest of the anointed remnant here on earth with him, then the commemoration of the Lord's Evening Meal will cease. And just as those who have the earthly hope do not need to partake now to have everlasting life, they don't need to partake then to have everlasting life. What a beautiful arrangement by Jehovah and Jesus.
 
Now let's just take a moment and review what we've discussed so far. First of all, how does Jesus' death open the way to everlasting life? Remember, Jehovah through his intense love for us arranged for His son to come to earth, and Jesus was willing as a perfect man to surrender his life in exchange for what Adam lost so that faithful followers would have the opportunity to gain everlasting life. 
 
And who benefit from this loving sacrifice? Well remember, there's two distinct hopes described in the Bible. There's 144,000 who will gain everlasting life in heaven, and there's a vast majority, a large group, who will gain everlasting life here on paradise earth. And do you remember who partake of the bread and wine? It's only those who have the heavenly calling.
 
So now we're ready. We're ready to observe the Lord's Evening Meal.
 
[Pause to pray and pass emblems.]
 
Well this takes us now to our fourth and final question. Besides attending this meeting, what else can we do to show appreciation for what God and Christ have done for us? Well from what we've discussed, it's evident that Jehovah wants us to be a member of His family. He's gone to great lengths so that we could gain everlasting life, to be able to worship Him forever. 
 
This has opened up a way for a special relationship with Him. So He's willing to help us to gain this everlasting life. He has by providing the ransom. He will as we continue to try to meet up and strive to fulfill His requirements. Yes, just as any household we join, there's requirements. Jehovah's family of worshippers also follow His requirements. And if you ever feel that you can't measure up to Jehovah's requirements, it's too difficult, remember Jehovah is ready to help you. He's ready to help you obey, and to support you. If you ever feel overwhelmed or discouraged, go to Jehovah in earnest prayer. He will listen. He loves you very much, and He wants you to enjoy everlasting life forever.
 
So maybe you're here for the first time this evening. It certainly important that you came. And we're glad you did. Be assured that Jehovah God and Jesus have taken note of the effort you put forth to be here in attendance. We encourage you to take further action. Learn more about Jehovah's  promises, and the beautiful future that He has in store for you and your family.
 
Now if you've been studying the Bible but you're not yet baptized, continue working toward that goal. Build faith in His promises. Build faith in the ransom sacrifice that makes it possible to take in this knowledge of God. And as your faith grows you will have the strength to fulfill the other requirements of repentance, conversion, dedication and baptism. A dedicated life to Jehovah God.
 
Now perhaps there are some of you who have associated with Jehovah's people in the past. And we'd like to say to you, for whatever reason you left in the past, Jehovah can right any wrong. You see, what matters now is Jehovah wants you back. And really, the world has nothing to offer compared to the intense love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us. We encourage you to take the steps to return to Jehovah so you will enjoy worshipping Him forever.
 
And then there's those of us who are active, baptized servants of Jehovah. Be determined to remain faithful to your dedication to God. Continue to take in the knowledge from your daily Bible reading, your attendance at the meetings weekly, regularly, not just on special occasions such as this. As you do so, your love for Jehovah is going to grow, and the more you love Jehovah, the more you love Jesus, the more you are willing to do for them. It will motivate you to continue in your faithful service.
 
Yes, it's heartwarming for us to consider what Jehovah and Jesus have done for us. And in just a few minutes we're all going to walk out these doors tonight, and we're going to go back to our life. Remember, this is not the life that God intended for you. The life where we're born under sin and our eventuality is death is not what Jehovah wants you to experience in the future. Jehovah has shown us that He loves us, and He's willing to help us continue to serve Him.
 
And if you ever feel like you don't measure up, and if you need the motivation to be able to meet up to His requirements, keep close in mind the beautiful scripture at Second Corinthians chapter five. Let's go there together. Second Corinthians, chapter five, notice verses 14 and 15. It says: "For the love the Christ has compels us, because this is what we've concluded, that one man died for all, so then all had died, and he died for all so that those who live should live no longer for themselves but for him  who died for them and was raised up." 
 
Do you notice there in verse 14? "For the love the Christ has compels us." When we meditate and think about the intense love that Jehovah and Jesus have for us, what they've done for us, how they saw our condition and the great effort they put forth to give us life, it compels us to live our life for them, to want to serve them, and to be a part of their family. 
 
Yes, Jehovah and Jesus love you. They want you to worship Jehovah forever. They want you to be a part of this universal, beautiful family that's going to enjoy life forever. They want you a part of it. Therefore, let all of us choose life, and keep showing our appreciation for what God and Christ have done for us."

Five Public Talks:
Who Is Like Jehovah
Reject Worldly Fantasies, Pursue Kingdom Realities
Overcoming Fear of the Future
The Flood of Noah's Day and You
Is There Really A Devil

Weekend%20Meeting%202022-04-23 (Q720)Who Is Like Jehovah Our God?.mp4 Weekend%20Meeting%202022-05-14 (Q720) Reject Worldly Fantasies, Pursue Kingdom Realities.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-03-18 (Q720) Overcoming Fear of the Future.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-03-12 (Q720).mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-03-25 (Q720) Is There Really A Devil?.mp4

Five Public Talks:
How Well Do You Know God
Are You Conscious of Your Spiritual Need
Keep Growing in Your Relationship With God
Live With Soundness of Mind in a Depraved World
How to Make Decisions that Lead to Success
Weekend Meeting 2023-02-04 (Q720) How Well Do You Know God?.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-02-11 (Q720) Are You Conscious of Your Spiritual Need?.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-02-18 (Q720) Keep Growing in Your Relationship with God.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-02-25 (Q720) Live With Soundness of Mind in a Depraved World.mp4 Weekend Meeting 2023-03-04 (Q720)How to Make Decisions that Lead to Success.mp4

Treasures From God's Word
(these are some of my favorites talks☺️)
"This has come from Jehovah; 
It is wonderful in our eyes.  
This is the day that Jehovah has made; 
We will be joyful and rejoice in it.  
Jehovah, save us, please, we beg! 
Jehovah, grant us victory, please! 
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of Jehovah; 
We bless you from the house of Jehovah.  
Jehovah is God; 
He gives us light.  
Join in the festival procession with branches in hand, 
Up to the horns of the altar.  
You are my God, and I will praise you; 
My God, I will exalt you.  
Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; 
His loyal love endures forever."
 
Praise Jehovah💖

Midweek Meeting Barraza:Treasures.mp4 Midweek Meeting Rodriguez:Treasures.mp4 Midweek Meeting Layman:Treasures.mp4

(this is one of my favorite talks☺️)
Weekend Meeting 2022-09-03 (Q720) Meditate on Jehovah's Word and His Works.mp4