George89

No, a friend generously gave me their account. Unfortunately, using the username George88 was no longer available. That privilege is reserved for those who are popular here, allowing them to keep their original username. I suppose this is why some people assume that multiple usernames are created by the same person. However, this site makes it impossible for certain disliked individuals to have just one username. They force that change and then criticize you for it.   I have my doubts that I won't be allowed to stay for too long before someone becomes angry enough to evict me. However, this only serves to demonstrate that they cannot suppress righteousness, no matter how determined they may be. Unlike them, I have the support of God on my side. What do they have in comparison? Man's will to silence like any earthly government?   Let's move on from that topic and stay focused on the issue at hand. At this time, I don't have anymore to add. It's fascinating to see how theologians are reinterpreting Luke in light of what they are witnessing and experiencing during the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Why do modern scholars and theologians strongly believe that this prophecy has only just begun due to the remarkable events unfolding in the Islamic nations of Hamas and Lebanon. The world bears witness to the profound impact these events have on the fulfillment of this prophecy.
While it is true that Israel's neighbors, such as Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, have thus far refrained from involvement in the conflict, one must consider the possibility that these nations may eventually engage with Israel due to mounting frustration and pressure from other Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
Can the attack from Iran by a distance be included in that prophecy?
It seems that the fear of mankind has overshadowed a momentous event that occurred in the distant past involving the Jewish nation and the city of Jerusalem.
How should prophecy be identified and explained in modern times without exaggerating or manipulating the words of others about times and events?
 

Luke 21:20-24 World English Bible
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
In this scenario, it seems that the lecturer failed to define the distinction between the words of Apostle Luke and those expressed by Apostle Matthew.
Matthew 24:7-13 World English Bible
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to oppression and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake. 10 Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray. 12 Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved.
The events unfolding worldwide seem to carry greater prophetic significance when compared to the situation in Israel. Thus, those who ardently believe in staying vigilant and paying attention to the signs, as indicated by Jesus himself, should consider these global events to be of utmost importance in these final days.
Does it really matter who the messenger is as long as they adhere to the word of God without distortions and manipulations? Is it more important to focus on the bible message itself, rather than criticize how time and events have unfolded since the spoken words of Christ from those understanding the context of scripture?
 Can discussions within a closed community truly influence the prophetic interpretation of scripture if the views being discussed are misaligned? How much has humanity deteriorated on a global scale since a certain point in our existence? This is something we can confidently observe with our own eyes.

Originally posted in 2017. Should JW's punish, disfellowship, or shun members who disagree with certain teachings?   Can a devout follower of Christ truly view biblical discipline as punishment? If so, who is responsible for penalizing an unrepentant sinner - the congregation or God through his word and by obedience? It seems that there has been some misunderstanding in the past regarding the proper motivation behind spiritual discipline, which God requires in order to prevent negative influences from infiltrating the congregation.   If Scripture was not intended to guide us, why would God, Jesus, and Apostle Paul refer to it as the inspired Word of God? It would be illogical to believe that our human flaws should overshadow the divine message. This would imply that we only accept from Scripture what aligns with our personal preferences.   Does that mindset meet such criteria? No, it does not. We cannot overlook a fundamental flaw found in our personal opinion that would justify disciplinary action once it becomes public knowledge. If a person, particularly someone who has been baptized, fails to fulfill their obligation to God by not living a righteous Christian life, it is their personal responsibility. The congregation's obligation is to accept scriptural discipline while the Elders are obligated to administer scriptural judgment, and they should not bear the blame for administering that authority from God and scriptural judgement on that individual's shortcomings.   "When receiving correction: No prideful deflections. If correction is needed, humbly receive it. Listen for God’s direction. God likes to lead us in ways that cultivate our humility. Correction is a gift, and not only for you. Your correction may also be someone else’s provision. Correction is a form of the Lord’s discipline."   The Watchtower has made minor adjustments regarding how a disfellowshipped individual should be welcomed in the congregation, if personal conscience permits. However, it is important to note that the fundamental principle of scriptural discipline remains unchanged, as it is written by the inspired word of God. The administration of this discipline, or any changes to it, can only be determined by God, not by the congregation or the elders and certainly not by critics.   If things were any different, then those individuals would not be following God's judgment, but rather their own personal opinions. This would undermine the essence of being a genuine Christian, which is to faithfully adhere to God's word and apply it to one's own life.      Chapter 48 - Sundry Passages in the Great Chapter of the Resurrection of the Dead Explained in Defense of Our Doctrine However, they must contrive to recall to their mind even now our preceding arguments, in order that the occasion which originally suggested this passage may assist our judgment in arriving at its meaning. The apostle, as I take it, having set forth for the Corinthians the details of their church discipline, had summed up the substance of his own gospel, and of their belief in an exposition of the Lord's death and resurrection, for the purpose of deducing therefrom the rule of our hope, and the groundwork thereof.    (from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3)   Before the church fathers, the question of how to follow the word of God arose. For example, should one follow the Corinth church leaders or the words of Apostle Paul, inspired by God's Holy Spirit? This same condition exists today, with some inclined to follow the words and recommendations of imperfect beings rather than follow the words of God. Those who choose to distort the gospel for their personal justifications have no business criticizing God's discipline.          CHAPTER ONE 1 Corinthians 1 BE WISE ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN'S CALLING "Jesus yes! The church, no!" Remember when that slogan was popular among young people in the '60s? They certainly could have used it with sincerity in Corinth back in  A.D. 56, because the local church there was in serious trouble. Sad to say, the problems did not stay within the church family; they were known by the unbelievers outside the church. To begin with, the church at Corinth was a defiled church. Some of its members were guilty of sexual immorality, others got drunk; still others were using the grace of God to excuse worldly living. It was also a divided church, with at least four different groups competing for leadership (1 Cor 1:12). This meant it was a disgraced church. Instead of glorifying God, it was hindering the progress of the Gospel.   (from The Bible Exposition Commentary)   True Christians should, by now, comprehend the teachings conveyed in the Gospel of Matthew. However, I wonder if they have truly grasped the significance of Paul's message in Titus 3:9, as well as his writings concerning Corinth, Rome, and Timothy. It is essential for us as believers to fully explore these passages and apply their wisdom and guidance to our lives.   Is there a loving way to administer discipline? Absolutely, for someone who shows "genuine" repentance through their actions and behavior. Can a council of Elders force the family of a person who has been disfellowshipped, for example, due to homosexuality, to accept such behavior in their family dynamics if they strongly dissent from it and choose to personally "shun" that individual instead for the reason of disfellowshipping them? No! No Elder has the authority to dictate personal emotions. They can only suggest the steps a family might take if they desire to reintegrate that family member into their lives after "rejecting" the condition of homosexuality and eradicating it from their hearts by having that member demonstrate genuine repentance. In the meantime, the concept of "shunning" takes on a different significance for some but not for all.   These are the kinds of factors that true Christians should consider before entering judgment or critiquing the church authority to administer Bible correction by elders. Let's take a look at another trait like pedophilia? Even if a pedophile has reformed and mended their behavior, and the church has accepted that person back into its fold, a stigma will inevitably remain attached to that individual. Caution will naturally come into play for some, while others may not feel comfortable engaging with them despite their own conscience. Human behavior is complex and there is no universal solution that fits all cases.   Can the unconditional love spoken of in the Bible be the same for those who have yet to know God, those who are coming to know God, and those who came to know God and then rejected God's love and God himself through personal sin? What about those who have shown remorse and those who claim to be repentant but in their hearts continue to demonstrate unrepentance through their actions? Scripture provides each true Christian with God's standards and teaches them how to keep the "body of Christ" pure from those who do not fear God.   The question, therefore, is: should we shed tears of joy for a lost brother who has now been found, or should we shed tears of sadness for that long-lost brother who has yet to realize the error of their ways, and that God is bringing judgment upon them?

George! Glad to see you. They just told me. Did you have to buy your way back in? I guess George88 was not accessible anymore, and you were forced to get a new moniker. Interesting topic. Sign of the times, but are they correct? lol!
I hope you'll be able to stay longer this time without any interruptions.
 

Why do modern scholars and theologians strongly believe that this prophecy has only just begun due to the remarkable events unfolding in the Islamic nations of Hamas and Lebanon. The world bears witness to the profound impact these events have on the fulfillment of this prophecy.
While it is true that Israel's neighbors, such as Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, have thus far refrained from involvement in the conflict, one must consider the possibility that these nations may eventually engage with Israel due to mounting frustration and pressure from other Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
Can the attack from Iran by a distance be included in that prophecy?
It seems that the fear of mankind has overshadowed a momentous event that occurred in the distant past involving the Jewish nation and the city of Jerusalem.
How should prophecy be identified and explained in modern times without exaggerating or manipulating the words of others about times and events?
 

Luke 21:20-24 World English Bible
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. 22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
In this scenario, it seems that the lecturer failed to define the distinction between the words of Apostle Luke and those expressed by Apostle Matthew.
Matthew 24:7-13 World English Bible
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to oppression and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake. 10 Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray. 12 Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved.
The events unfolding worldwide seem to carry greater prophetic significance when compared to the situation in Israel. Thus, those who ardently believe in staying vigilant and paying attention to the signs, as indicated by Jesus himself, should consider these global events to be of utmost importance in these final days.
Does it really matter who the messenger is as long as they adhere to the word of God without distortions and manipulations? Is it more important to focus on the bible message itself, rather than criticize how time and events have unfolded since the spoken words of Christ from those understanding the context of scripture?
 Can discussions within a closed community truly influence the prophetic interpretation of scripture if the views being discussed are misaligned? How much has humanity deteriorated on a global scale since a certain point in our existence? This is something we can confidently observe with our own eyes.