Witness

7 hours ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

I see the GB in that same light. Well maybe they choose each other, but then call themselves the F&DS and say that 'God and Christ trust them'.  That's a bit like calling themselves righteous.  It seemsto follow a pattern. 

I found this quote from a Wt. when researching,

"Third, consider some of our recent refinements in understanding. For example, our clarified understanding of “the faithful and discreet slave,” published in the July 15, 2013, Watchtower, thrilled us. (Matt 24:45-47) It was explained that the faithful slave is the Governing Body, while the “domestics” are all those who are fed spiritually, whether of the anointed or of the “other sheep.” (John 10:16) What a delight it is to learn such truths and to teach them to new ones!  w15 3/15 p. 8-9

One set of scriptures apparently prove that these false prophets are the faithful and discreet slave.  How thrilling!

 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord.

“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’

14 “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”

Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.

17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.  Mal 3:13-18

13 hours ago, JW Insider said:

17 hours ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

I cannot imagine God or Christ using Russell, going by what you've written. 

I can. Read about David, Moses, Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Mark, Thomas, and James with John along with "Mrs." Zebedee.  People are complicated.  We can easily find fault but we need to balance the good they have done, too.

JWs have this habit of using David and his grave sin, as an example to excuse their leadership’s sins.  With David though, we have his documented expressions of great remorse spoken to God.  We have no expressions of remorse from any Wt. leader, only their examples of either hiding their sins, or making excuses for them.  I find it ironic that past articles in the Wt. will tell the story of a murderer being “saved” by the organization and he is received with open arms into the congregation. Wouldn't this past murderer be the example of repentance and not the example of sin?

Not so, with David.  He is usually shown up for his sins and never for his extensive documented request to God for repentance.  Likewise, the organization keeps a record of sin on all members, yet God in his mercy will forget our sins – only if we come to him in sincere repentance. 

Sinning against the Holy Spirit, the unforgiveable sin, has been committed by the organization since Rutherford, possibly before. (Matt 12:31) Ray Franz spoke truth, but he was disfellowshipped – considered dead in the eyes of God. (Luke 12:11,12; Matt 10:20) This has happened throughout  Wt’s history to anointed ones who had the Holy Spirit poured into their hearts.  Spiritual blood is on the hands of Wt’’s leadership. (Matt 23:33-36; Rev 17:3-6) Jesus spoke truth and he was killed for it, and they said he had a demon. I have been accused of the same thing here. (Matt 10:25)   It is a twisted concept that the leadership is righteous while unrepentant for their sins, yet any anointed priest who stands for truth and exposes lies, is the unrighteous one.  (Mark 3:28-30)

No, God does not consider the sins of a priest (if Russel was anointed) as forgotten, if he is never repentant before God and apologetic for the damage he has done to those whom he has taught.

No matter how much of what appears to be truth that he may have produced, he is still a bad “tree”.  (Matt 7:15-20)

https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/07/what-is-worst-sin-wt-has-done.html

4 hours ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

It must take a very dull or almost dead conscience to remain a JW. 

Spiritual drunkenness, on the "harlot's" wine.  Luke 12:45,46; Isa 28:1-4,7,8,14; Jer 5:31; Micah 2:11; Hos 7:5; Rev 17:2; 14:8

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12%3A45%2C46%3B+Isa+28%3A1-4%2C7%2C8%2C14%3B+Jer+5%3A31%3B+Micah+2%3A11%3B+Hos+7%3A5%3B+Rev+17%3A2%3B+14%3A8&version=NKJV

4 hours ago, Srecko Sostar said:

On second, about GB member Splane. What special "spiritual truths" would GB members told David or other people from past. Perhaps about "overlapping generation" or "monthly report", "clergy-laity distinction", how to use "lawyers" in Court cases about CSA, "blue envelops", "shunning policy" ...,?? 

How to use lawyers in court, seems to be their expertise - that and the basic elements of running an earthly organization.  But that is the irony, isn’t it?  Men who have failed to interpret the spiritual meaning of God's word over and over again, are telling JWs that they will teach the pillars of faith from the past.  And that there is no doubt that the leaders will be in a literal heavenly office (using their knowledge of running a corporation on earth) when their Armageddon breaks out.  They, will be exalted over all.  But, about these uninspired men, the leadership said in 1959, An accurate knowledge of the future cannot be gained from such people.”  Wt 1959/7/1 pg 389-390

How then, will they be able to teach those who were “inspired”?  Isa 28:7-10   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+28%3A7-10&version=LEB    

16 minutes ago, Witness said:

I mentioned that Wt. is Satan’s “magnum opus”, his greatest work of deceit against the remaining holy ones.  Satan was “let loose” to put the plan in action on how to deceive the elect.  (Mark 13:22) The advent of the organization, and particularly the lie of 1914, coincides with Satan’s release from the abyss.

This is the proclamation that the "day of the Lord" has arrived.  2 Thess 2:1,2  tells us that this announcement will appear to be from faithful anointed - even those who compare themselves to the apostles.  2 Thess 2:3,4 describes the existence of the Beast from the sea as the "man of lawlessness" taking over the Temple of the anointed priesthood.  (Mark 13:14; Rev 11:1,2; Rev 13:1,2,5-7).  False apostles give power and authority to the elder body/man of lawlessness to represent and prevent the priesthood from becoming one body in Christ.  (2 Cor 11:13;)  

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of of the Lord had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [c]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars"  Rev 2:2

On 7/6/2021 at 12:38 PM, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

I'm sorry but your 'teachings' are so totally different that you have to follow through with all situations regarding all peoples to be able to make sense of the scriptures.  

I’ll try to answer your questions.  Really, the answers are all connected together, and the best help to understand is to go to the links I frequently provide.

Rev 20:1,2 - Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. ² He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

When Satan was abyssed, it was a restriction of his power to deceive Christ’s faithful anointed, because we know there were those whose hearts were not faithful to truth, and who left Body and disconnected from Christ. (1 John 2:19; Col 2:18,19)   But, we have the account in Luke 10:17-20 when Satan was abyssed – not able to “perceive” how to enact a great deceptive plan to gain authority and power over the anointed.

And the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” ¹⁸ So he said to them, “I saw Satan falling like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold, I have given you the authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will ever harm you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are inscribed in heaven.” 

This was the beginning of the “thousand year” reign of Jesus Christ.  He never said his reign would be one of peace, as the Wt teaches, but division. (Mal 3:18; Matt 10:34; 1 Cor 1:11; Heb 4:12)  It is a time period of spiritual war. (2 Cor 10:4,5; James 4:7)  His faithful ones fought it with truth, and entered into the “kingdom of the Son He loves”. (Col 1:13,14)   The unfaithful were won over by Satan – they became the enemies at the foot of Jesus Christ and the Father. (Ps 110:1-3; 1 Cor 15:24,25)

 These faithful ones, never fell spiritually captive to the Wild Beast from the sea in Rev 13:1,2. They did not “worship” it, which is stated in Rev 20:4. (Eph 6:10,11; Rev 13:4)  But, in the time of the end, before the Kingdom of God is ushered in, we find the anointed “kings of the earth”, (Rev 1:5) “overcome”/”conquered” by the falsehoods it promotes. (Rev 16:13-16; Rev 13:5-7)  They had no “authority” to “trample snakes and scorpions”. (Rev 9:3,4)    This time period is when Satan is free from his symbolic chains of “not perceiving” (the meaning of “abyss”).  He then knew how to enact his plan to desperately preserve his kingdom and destroy those in Christ.  (Rev 12:12,17; Ezek 21:21,22; Rev 13:1,4; 20:7,8; 16:13-16; 1 Tim 4:1; Rev 13:7,10; Col 2:8; Luke 21:24) https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+12%3A12%2C17%3B+Ezek+21%3A21%2C22%3B+Rev+13%3A1%2C4%3B+20%3A7%2C8%3B+16%3A13-16%3B+1+Tim+4%3A1%3B+Rev+13%3A7%2C10%3B+Col+2%3A8%3B+Luke+21%3A24&version=NKJV

So, In Rev 20, we see first of all, that Satan is abyssed.  It is followed by the declaration of those heavenly faithful who never “worshiped the beast”. (Rev 20:4)  They did not become slaves to men and to their idol/organization. (2 Cor 11:20; Gal 1:10) But then, Satan is let loose. (Rev 20:7)  He gives the “key”, the inspiration, to a fallen anointed one and his dark plan to deceive the last group of anointed, is enacted. (2 Cor 11:13-15; Rev 8:10; 9:1) The organization begins developing. (Rev 13:5,11,13,15-17) From there we see that the “camp of the saints and the beloved city” – the last of the anointed on the earth – are gradually and then fully surrounded by “Gog of Magog”, including people from all nations with them. (Rev 20:7-9)  The “beloved city” is “New Jerusalem”, the New Covenant promise of life that they are under. (Gal 4:26) Gog of Magog is another description of the two Beasts of Revelation 13 – One, comprised of “Gentiles” (iron); one coming from the earth, “Jews”, those under covenant with Christ. (clay). (Dan 2:40-43; 7:23; Rev 9:7-9 ) (Isa 64:8; 2 Cor 4:7; Isa 41:25)

 They together, are the feet of Daniel’s vision of the statue, and the last power to come over God’s holy people.   Is it not true, that the governing leadership has chosen to rule with, and as “Gentiles”, their army of elder helpers; while rejected the anointed “army” of God?  (Mark 10:37-45; 1 John 4:20; 3:15;Matt 24:48-51; Rev 13:15,11)

The Greek word for “thousand” in Rev 20:2 is χίλιοι chílioi meaning:“plural of uncertain affinity; a thousand”

“The adjective χιλιοι (chilioi) means a thousand, but note that in the first century, people didn't maintain as strict an arithmetic standard as we do today. There weren't many instances of the number thousand (one thousand of the same things is quite rare in the real world) and when such a thing occurred, it was rarely necessary to precisely count them. In other words: our adjective χιλιοι (chilioi) rather means "a whole bunch; probably somewhere near ten groups of roughly a hundred each".” https://www.abarim-publications.com/DictionaryG/ch/ch-i-l-i-o-i.html

Revelation is symbolic, a book of signs. (Rev 1:1)  To denote that a “thousand years” is a literal fixed time period in a symbolic book, goes against the meaning of the Bible’s “thousand”, in general.  Even in the Hebrew scriptures, Jewish scholars seem to agree that “thousand” indicate a large approximate number.  If Jesus’ thousand year reign lasted almost 2,000 years, this doesn’t contradicted the Bible’s meaning of a “thousand”.  

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”  2 Pet 3:8

We know that “death will be destroyed” when Armageddon comes to an end. (1 Cor 15:26)  How then, could death be resurrected a literal thousand years later?  The scriptures say that when Satan is free of his chains, he misleads “a number as the sand of the sea”. Those who do not escape his deceit, are destroyed. (Rev 20:8,9) The Beast of Rev 13:1,2 rises out of the sea.  Isa 57:20 tell us what “sea” can refer to.

“But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud”. 

So, from the “wicked”, the organization/Beast that “makes war” and surrounds the anointed, is born. (Rev 13:1,2; Rev 20:9) 

Also, the “saints” cannot be surrounded a thousand years into the Kingdom, since they will be reigning with Jesus Christ. All who reign with him during the Kingdom had already conquered evil, death, and Satan’s deceptions. (Rev 12:10,11;  But again, who surrounds them now?  The elder body/man of lawlessness who has trampled down the Temple of God (1 Cor 3:16,17). (Matt 24:15,16; Mark 13:14,21-23; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2)  They have the authority to rule over them, given to them by spiritual “harlots”/false prophets. (Rev 13:11,15; 17:3-6)

We have only this life, this time period to be judged.  To think we must gain our physical youth and perfect mental awareness during a trial period in the Kingdom, is well, deceitful stupidity, and a slap in the face of Jesus Christ. Didn’t Satan use a similar tactic with Eve?  Both Adam and Eve had life placed before them, but they chose to reject it.  They broke their covenant with God.  We have life placed before us in Jesus Christ.  If we choose men, not inspired, to judge our spirituality, telling us “you will not die” if we remain under their corrupt influential organization, are we not like Adam and Eve, as we fall for their consistent 100+ year old lies?  (Hos 6:4-10)

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. ²⁵ Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. ²⁷ And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”  John 5”24-27

Anyone who believes and obey Jesus Christ’s teachings does not need to be tested one more time a thousand years into the Kingdom of God. Even the unrepentant wicked do not need to be tested one more time.  We are all judged by what we do in this lifetime.  

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.”

I think we need to keep in mind that the teaching of a thousand years of peace is taught by the Wt.  How many times have they deceived and twisted the scriptures over the years?  Should we trust any of their teachings? (Matt 7:15-20)

 Can we imagine faithful Job, Noah, Elijah, Isaiah, Abraham, Moses, Esther, Deborah, having to face yet another test after all they went through while on earth? How absolutely unfair of God to allow Satan to have another go at them.   It would be unfair to promise that these will receive eternal life, only to withdraw that promise by allowing Satan to deceive them again, once tasting the bounty of God’s blessings.  They, and so many more faithful held on to the promise of eternal, forever, never interrupted…life.  These pillars will not need to be taught by anyone, as GB Splane sarcastically explained when speaking about David’s resurrection.  He and his false teacher companions have sold  their soul to the devil.  (Luke 4:5-7).

The ancient faithful ones…“But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”  Heb 11:16

God is the God of the “living”, not of the eternal “dead”.  Matt 22:32   Any faithful ones in the memorial tombs who have lost their physical life, are “living” to God.

So again, the thousand years of Christ’s reign is the “kingdom of the Son he loves”.  This is when the anointed over the centuries are judged according to their love of truth, or their rejection of it and rejection Jesus Christ as their Head.  It is a divisive spiritual battle that rages even until the end.  (Eph 6:10,11) and a gathering of his priests to reign with him in the Kingdom.  (Rev 5:9,10)

I mentioned that Wt. is Satan’s “magnum opus”, his greatest work of deceit against the remaining holy ones.  Satan was “let loose” to put the plan in action on how to deceive the elect.  (Mark 13:22) The advent of the organization, and particularly the lie of 1914, coincides with Satan’s release from the abyss. This event leads to the Great Tribulation/Armageddon now in progress. (Matt 24:21,9,15)  It is not something seen in the world, as the Wt. says and which Satan plays into their proclamation, but it is spiritual.  His “short period of time”, his “little while” to do his dirty work covers the life of the organization.  (Rev 20:3)

Those who grab hold of the skirt of the (spiritual) Jew, come to the banquet, the understanding of Revelation’s scrolls -  the “Marriage Feast of the Lamb”…even now.  These “little dogs” who are leaving the now “apostate city”, (the organization and its leadership) and are searching for truth are just as important to God as are His priests who serve them, which is the assignment God has given to His “royal priesthood” - to be “ministers” to His children.  (Mal 2:7;1 Pet 2:5; Heb 1:14) 

Jesus didn’t turn his back on the woman who wanted her child healed.  He would not turn his back on any who desire to find wisdom and truth. (Matt 15:27)  To this “mountain” of knowledge in the faithful anointed Temple, Isa 2:2 tells us that just after Armageddon, “all the nations shall flow to it”.  Isa 60:1-5; 11,14; Rev 21:24-27; Rev 3:9; 15:4; Isa 2:3,4  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa+60%3A1-5%3B+11%2C14%3B+Rev+21%3A24-27%3B+Rev+3%3A9%3B+15%3A4%3B+Isa+2%3A3%2C4&version=NKJV

Again Jesus used stories as illustrations when he spoke to them. He said, ² “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who planned a wedding for his son. ³ He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the wedding, but they refused to come. (foolish virgins, Matt 25) ⁴ He sent other servants to tell the people who had been invited, ‘I’ve prepared dinner. My bulls and fattened calves have been butchered. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding!’

⁵ “But they paid no attention and went away. Some went to work in their own fields, and others went to their businesses. (the duties and attention to “Jehovah’s organization”)   ⁶ The rest grabbed the king’s servants, mistreated them, and then killed them. (disfellowshipping of those anointed who speak truth, Matt 23:34; Rev 13:15)

⁷ “The king became angry. He sent his soldiers, killed those murderers, and burned their city.  (Rev 11:1-7; Jer 23:29)

⁸ “Then the king said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited don’t deserve the honor. ⁹ Go where the roads leave the city. (leave the organization, Rev 18:4-8) Invite everyone you find to the wedding.’ (Isa 55:1-5;John 13:20; Rev 22:17 The servants went into the streets and brought in all the good people and all the evil people they found. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

¹¹ “When the king came to see the guests, he saw a person who was not dressed in the wedding clothes ⌞provided for the guests⌟. ¹² He said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without proper wedding clothes?’

“The man had nothing to say. ¹³ Then the king told his servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him outside into the darkness. People will cry and be in extreme pain there.’ 

¹⁴ “Therefore, many are invited, but few of those are chosen to stay.” Matt 22

As I mentioned before, total, eternal peace and life, with no looming threat of possible death, will reign in the Kingdom of God because that is what is promised. (Rev chapter 21)  It will not be interrupted by an attack of Satan a thousand years into this Kingdom of eternal life.  I cringed when I heard the GB member mention the Wt doctrine of a thousand years after Armageddon, during his video on the king of the north. Almost every doctrine offered by the Wt. either began tainted, or became tainted… or is totally opposite from what the scriptures teach from the get go.  This is the poisoning of the “waters” by the fallen “star/anointed one.  Rev 8:10,11

Why must Satan be released from the abyss?

8 hours ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

So then, this would seem to prove that the Anointed are gathered in the JW org. Hence that Org has served some purpose for God. 

I think we have to remember that Satan has demanded to sift God’s holy people “as wheat”. (Luke 22:31)  In the last days, when the last of the anointed are present, he uses a deceiving tactic to test them.   If you’ll notice, the organization took awhile to develop before it could be said to be a full-fledged organization.  Doctrines have changed from giving Christ his share of glory, to concentrating on “Jehovah” and even more so, the organization – an idol, the work of man’s hands.  (Acts 17:24)   Gradually, the elder body gained a foothold, a united "army" as it is called, and now it rules completely over the anointed ones; while these priests are told to remain segregated from one another. (Dan 8:25) The organization is a trap, baited with a little truth, and it has successfully led all anointed into it, over the years. (1 Pet 5:8; Matt 24:4; Luke 21:8)  Why.  Because this is last Satan’s tactic - his magnum opus -  to “sift” the anointed as wheat.  

8 hours ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

I'm not suggesting that God approves of the Watchtower / JW org, but that God can make use of them.

God allows it. He allows us to make our choice.  It will refine the anointed if they submit to Christ and leave the slavery to men and their earthly treasures.  He allowed Satan to sift Jesus as wheat through temptations. Luke 4.  He warned the anointed through the scriptures of what would happen to them in the final days.  Jesus said false prophets would appear and deceive the “elect”.  (Matt 24:24,25) That many would listen to a deceiving spirit (1 Tim 4:1) But, they took no note.  They allowed their hearts to be captured by “empty philosophy” lies – all of them have. (Col 2:8) That's how powerful the deception is.  Revelation speaks of this deceit that occurs as two Beasts – the organization (Rev 13:1,2) and the false prophets that guides it.  (Rev 13:11,12)  It calls it "captivity" by the “sword”, by the use of God's word. (Heb 4:12; Rev 13:10)  The Beast of Rev 13:1,2 is the "man of lawlessness" that rules over the Temple/dwelling of God.  (2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 13:18)

As @Kick_Faceinator said, Christendom has nothing to do with who the MOL is.  It has nothing to do with politics.  It has everything to do with God’s anointed and who they listen to, which in the organization happens to be the “wicked slave”/the two horned Beast of Rev 13:11, who beats them down with their elder body, into submission.  Matt 24:48-51; Rev 13:5-7

The organization is a refining pot. (Luke 13:23,24; Matt 7:14; 24:13)  We couldn’t see that when we were “in” and blinded.  Only if one desires to search out authentic truth, are they saved from Satan’s dark trap. (Isa 29:18) God sees every minute detail of our hearts.  He allows the spiritually “poor”, the “afflicted” to be set free, by opening their eyes to see the trap for what it is.

8 hours ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

How else have the Anointed all gathered in that one place ?

Satan is let loose from the abyss, the place of “not perceiving”, which allows him the ability to perceive how to devise his plan of deceit.  He “gives” the “key” to do so, to those he wins over, with his “gifts” of power, authority and riches. (Rev 9:1,2)  The anointed are described as “stars”, who should shine their lamp of light as Jesus did. (Gen 22:15-17; Dan 12:3; Matt 5:14) If they fall from God’s grace, they are symbolically compared to a fallen star. (2 Pet 3:17)    Rev 9:1;8:10 speaks of a great star that falls from God’s grace. It falls on waters (of truth, John 7:38), but poisons them, with its teachings.  Many people die from these waters.  This star is a composite false prophet – the Beast of Rev 13:11,12. 

How do I know that Satan is let loose to deceive the elect before Armageddon is finished? 

Rev 16 mentions the Beast (organization) of Rev 13:1,2,  and the false prophet…and Satan.  The “kings of the earth” are the anointed members of Christ.  (Rev 1:5)

³ And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. ¹⁴ For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”

Ok, so the anointed are overcome by a trap of deception, lies spoken by three – Satan, the organization and its leadership.   Also, these teachings inspired by Satan, reach people all over the world who become part of the Beast.  They are “gathered” together.

Rev 20 tells us more:

“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. ⁹ They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. ¹⁰ The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Gog and Magog are another symbolic description of the two Beasts of Rev 13.  We get another glimpse  of what Gog and Magog accomplish against the anointed in Ezek. Chapter 38:15,16.  The pattern set then, is repeated symbolically today.   There it shows us how the holy people are met by a “northern army”, which is also depicted as locusts in Joel 2 and Rev 9:3-6

In these two chapters, it tells us that the saints/anointed/priesthood are deceived and gathered into the organization.  They are “surrounded” by the leadership, gathered for the war of Armageddon - a war of truth against deceit/lies. The Beast/organization “makes war with the saints” - against the temple, the sanctuary of God. ( Rev 13:5-7; 2 Thess 2:3,4)

There are several descriptions of the same event in the last days.  The Wt. has taken these accounts and applied them to the political governments, or to Christendom.  They have even applied the locust/scorpions of Rev 9 that torture God’s holy people who haven’t been sealed, to the anointed themselves. 

The Throne of Satan

18 minutes ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Yet, no text in WTJWorg publications, known to me, contains any of the previously described characteristics of someone who is aware of his (individual or collective GB) error.

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." 1 Tim 4:1,2

"seared with a hot iron" -"to render unsensitive"

24 minutes ago, Srecko Sostar said:

The founders of doctrines and interpretations themselves have always found a way to explain their "error" by a lack of sufficient "light" and "knowledge", because then, when they wrote about a topic, there was no "God-given time" to know "real truth". But now, in this very moment when they "clarified" things, it is "true and proper knowledge" that have to be accepted, because it is from God ..... again

CHARLATON - "a person who pretends to have skills or knowledge that they do not have"  Cambridge Dictionary

Under "Related words and phrases" - a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"I know that after I leave, savage ("burdensome, imposing, impressive") wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. "  Acts 20:29,30

1 hour ago, Arauna said:

  To quote scripture is therefore not a given that it is truth. 

Is that not what we see the GB have done over the years?  Remember the list of "Beliefs Clarified"?

1 hour ago, Arauna said:

Yes, so true.  Satan can also quote scripture (or the words of Jehovah), but he uses the reasoning to get people to be deceived..... he tried it with Eve and  with Jesus.  To quote scripture is therefore not a given that it is truth. 

Perhaps you can share the scriptures used by your leaders that convinced the generation of 1914 that they would not “pass away” before Armageddon would come?  What scriptures are being used to teach the new “overlapping generation” doctrine?

Or, those scriptures that support the replacement of the holy priesthood in the anointed, with “Gentile” elders.  (Rev 11:1,2)

Can you tell me where in the scriptures, God speaks of an earthly organization built in Satan’s world to appear as the path of salvation, above and beyond the salvation in Jesus Christ?  (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)

I only see God’s Temple/dwelling of Holy Spirit – “the temple of the God of Jacob” (“Israel”) and built with “living stones”, as the “mountain” that people will stream to, in the last days.  (Isa 2:1-3; 1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22)

It is from this “mountain” where the “law of the Lord” will come forth – from “New Jerusalem”.   (Rev 21:1-3)  That law will not deviate from truth by teaching lies.

Where, in the scriptures does it say that the Wt. organization will be unscathed through Armageddon and stand prominently with all of its buildings in the Kingdom of God?  This is what A. Morris tells us. 

Can you provide scriptures which tell us, that even though “death will be destroyed” by Jesus Christ when Armageddon has reached its end, (1 Cor 15:26) , it will return a thousand years later, in the Kingdom of God – the Kingdom which God promises that “death will be no more”?  (Rev 21:4)

Yes, Satan can deceive, even the "elect" - God's anointed ones.  Matt 24:24,25

1 hour ago, JW Insider said:

And we've been through this before on the topic of lying. A person can say something untrue, and it doesn't mean they are deliberately lying. Were you actually "lying" when you taught people certain JW doctrines that you now believe are untrue?

If we repeat a lie that we were taught, we also are lying – we are a liar.  Many who left the organization have apologized to their past Bible students for teaching them a lie.  Many are repentant for the lying doctrines they once taught.  The GB may change doctrines that appear as loving adjustments, but are they repentant for telling a previous lie?  Consider the message of 1975, and the encouragement given to the flock for anticipating its arrival.  Once this date had passed, who was to blame for placing their hope in a date contrived by the leadership?  Was dumping the blame on the flock an act of love?  The leaders are well aware of what the scriptures say about setting dates and timetables, but they arrogantly pushed ahead and followed the desires of their hearts.

I recall the song, "make the truth your own".  When a JW is admonished to accept a doctrine as truth, and to teach that doctrine which later is revealed to be a lie, it was a deliberate action by the JW to make that supposed "truth" their own. The "loved" the lie.  (2 Thess 2:9-12)   The lies spoken by the leaders, are through deception, yet those whom they teach still repeat and speak the lie.  (Prov 12:22)  Someone can believe the world is flat and teach it as truth.  They may convince themselves that are right and anyone who believes the world is round, is the liar.  A scientist can provide all the evidence to show them up as a liar, but their heart is set on the lie.  We have God's Word to guide us on how not to lie, not to teach falsehoods. After 100+ years, the organization's leaders, have yet to learn this; whereas the apostles learned it immediately.

"Everyone has to be on guard against his friend.
Don’t trust any brother,
for every brother will certainly deceive,
and every friend spread slander.
5 Each one betrays his friend;
no one tells the truth.
They have taught their tongues to speak lies;
they wear themselves out doing wrong.
6 You live in a world of deception.
In their deception they refuse to know me.
This is the Lord’s declaration."  Jer 9:4-6

"A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart."  Luke 6:45

10 hours ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Never have I seen a greater harvesting of scripture to gather such a bumper crop of decayed fruit into the storehouse.

 God's word - the scriptures -  is "living". (1 Tim 3:16; Heb 4:12) 

1 hour ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Nothing is about anything with you, it seems, other than taking incessant shots at the ones you crazily think have cheated you from your stage and position. 

Really Tom, I don’t care how many cheap shots you take at me.  This is about the members of God’s Temple. (1 Pet 2:5,9;1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22)  It is about Jesus Christ., their Head.  You do know that the anointed priests/Body of Christ, belong to Christ, right?  Does any man have the authority to tell them not to “challenge” their position to “represent the royal priesthood”? Does any man have the authority to tell members of Christ’s Body that they cannot meet together and study the word of God?   (Matt 24:24,25; 2 Thess 2:3,4; 2 Cor 11:20)  No. The letter explains why this is against God’s decrees. Ezek 44:6-9

Don’t you see, that anyone who attempts to manipulate your spirituality by preventing you to meet with whom you care to, is power hungry and scared of losing that power?  You reside where a wicked slave and "her" (Rev 17:3-6) henchmen/elder body have “trampled” down God’s Temple.  (Matt 24:48-51; Rev 13:1,2,5-7;11,12)  You reside with the “man of lawlessness” “standing where it does not belong”.  (Mark 13:5,6,14; 2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 13:1,2,5-7,18)

1 hour ago, TrueTomHarley said:

As stated, reading that endless letter will take months, since practically a reread of the whole Bible is required, for the absurd number of verses cited.

If you cared to learn about Zion, if you cared to understand how the Kingdom of God will come and what role the priesthood has in it; what the spiritual Temple will provide for mankind, you would read the scriptures.  But, this is your convention time, and videos of your Harlots offering you smooth words are most likely pleasantly relaxing - I should say, mind-numbing as you share in the Harlot's cup. (Prov 5:3-6; Rev 8:10,11; 17:2)   Studying God's word takes work. 

 I wish you would wake up.  

6 minutes ago, Arauna said:

No but it takes a lot of hate to write so many letters. 

I have never heard anyone else on this forum use the word "hate" as much as you do.  Did Jesus hate his people when he exposed their sins?  No, the hate came from those who didn't listen to him.

46 minutes ago, TrueTomHarley said:

You crazy women, if they were mighty they would tell Russian cops to lay off and the latter would wet themselves for doing what they have done.

This isn't about Russia.  It is about your leadership who dominate the priesthood - the GB who "direct" the elder body to "represent the royal priesthood".  Before you spout off in ignorance, READ THE LETTER.

36 minutes ago, TrueTomHarley said:

I’m sorry, try as I might, I cannot take this ridiculous ultimatum to every living breathing thing in God’s organization more seriously.

“For He has brought low those who dwell on high, the unassailable city;
He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He casts it to the dust."  Isa 26:5

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base ("ignoble") things of the world and the things which are despised ("least esteemed")  God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence."  1 Cor 1:27-29

The "mountainlike organization" will fall, because of its sins against God's holy people.  The restored spiritual Temple/Zion, will be exalted.   (Matt 17:11)

 So he answered and said to me:

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
7 ‘Who are you, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”  Zech 4:6,7

Rev 18:4-8

36 minutes ago, Pudgy said:

I am talking about ...ONLY talking about your claim that "Rachel" sent letters to everybody named, and that they READ them.

I'm sorry for misunderstanding your question.  I didn't say that I expect all have read them.  I had said, "No doubt there are those who will toss the letter away."  

I also said, "Rachel has received replies from elders, who have taken her message to the GB. "  

I can't say how many have replied to her, or how the GB reacted.  I do know that Rachel has written personal letters to individual GB members as well.  

1 hour ago, TrueTomHarley said:

13 hours ago, Witness said:

mailed to branch offices and kingdom halls around the world. 

Self-important, anyone?

Are you saying, it is self-aggrandizing when someone else other than JWs send out letters?

3 minutes ago, Pudgy said:

If you have solid evidence to support YOUR statements, I would like to see it.

The solid evidence is in the scriptures provided.  

2 minutes ago, Pudgy said:

How about sharing with us the details?

Pretty much what I have written here, and the links I have provided over the years, are the details.  

57 minutes ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

But where are these True Anointed ones ? And when will they 'stand up' ?  And why are they in the CCJW / JW Org ?

Could the True Anointed remnant be elsewhere ?

This is the "day of small beginnings".  They are here, giving their testimony.  They come from the organization.  Zech 4:10; Matt 24:27,28

1 hour ago, Arauna said:

I do not recall any women serving as priests in the time of Israel. In fact there was a special " court of women". 

We know that there is no sex for those who rule in heaven but Paul did tell anointed sisters to ask their husbands questions at home so as to not disrupt the meetings.

So, you are saying that the anointed women in the organization, are not priests, but the men are?  I don’t see anywhere in scriptures segregating the holy priesthood into males as priests and women as...? (1 Pet 2:5,9)

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  Gal 3:26-20

 Being “one” in the Body of Christ does not mean they have no designation as physically male or female.  The “living stones” of this Body have been given various gifts. (Col 12; Eph 4:4-13) One gift, is prophesying, which is teaching; one is specifically teaching. There were anointed women prophesying/teaching in the first century.

Acts 21:8-10 - "On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. ⁹ Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. ¹⁰ And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.  Acts 21:8-10

“Let us move forward in time to the example of Christ.
Jesus corrected and defied this practice of spurning women, even doing so with a Samaritan woman. He both spoke to her and touched her, which broke that Law twice. He asked her questions and listened to her answers, also breaking this Law (John 4:7-27). He had women as friends (John 11:5,20), including a former Harlot (Luke 7:36-50). He anointed women, and is still doing so today (1 Pet 3:7; Acts 1:14; 2:1-4,18,33). 

Anointed women are to be among the "two witnesses"; ...anointed that he will "cause" to "prophesy" (Rev 11:3-5) during the last days (Acts 2:17; Rev 1:10).
We read at Rev 6:9-11, that both men and women... 
     ["brothers and sisters" - Greek word for brothers and sisters
      (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, 
       as part of God’s family; also in Rev 12:10; 19:10] 
..."killed" (disfellowshipped) for giving their testimony. Women cannot testify, if they are silent.

Should Women Teach - http://pearl-womenteach.blogspot.com/

1 hour ago, Arauna said:

These women want to be celebrities in the congregation and they are the first to condemn our brothers for any spotlight............. that is what Cain did - was it not? He was and example of jealousy and and wanting more than he deserved. 

Have you ever thought that God is choosing women to speak up and proclaim the sins of His people for a reason?  Men in your organization lord it over women, unlike Jesus Christ.

4 hours ago, Pudgy said:

The chances of "Rachel" having her letters read by any JW are less than that.

No doubt there are those who will toss the letter away.  The pattern of rebellion against the warning of evil committed in God’s physical nation, has repeated itself today, in His spiritual nation.  Over the years, many anointed have written letters to the GB.   Obviously, their warning words meant little as they rule by their own authority.  (Jer 5:31)  Their weapon has always been to silence truth through disfellowshipping.  King Jehoiakim tried to destroy God’s condemning word sent by Jeremiah, by shredding and burning it.  But, Jeremiah was persistent and wrote another scroll.  Jer 36:23,24,27

Rachel has received replies from elders, who have taken her message to the GB. 

This letter was written by an anointed sister (“Rachel”) in Christ. It is presently being mailed to branch offices and kingdom halls around the world.  This is not the first of its kind Rachel has written, reaching JW leaders over the months. (Zech 4:6)  It is very possible that any JW leader who has passed by here, may have already received one.   

The Hebrew and Greek scriptures give us a complete blueprint for identifying apostasy. In the Greek scriptures, “apostasia,” translated “apostasy” (2 Thess.2:3) means a rebellion, a falling away, a defection from truth – “Jesus said to him [Thomas]: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me.” Apostasy, a defection from truth, is a departing from Jesus, rebelling against his instruction, and not imitating his example (1 Tim.6:3; 1 Tim.1:3; 2 Tim.4:4; 1 Cor.11:3; Luke 21:8; Rom.16:17; Matt.7:15; Heb.3:12; 1 John 2:6; 2 Thess.2:3). 

 

The scriptures recorded the history God’s chosen ancient nation of Israel’s actions, both good and wayward, “examples…written for our admonition” (1 Cor.10:6-11; Heb.3:5; 9:1,6,9; 10:1,11,3,5-8). In the Hebrew scriptures, we find God’s people, his nation of Israel, repeatedly became rebellious. A Hebrew word was used for their disobedience: “meshubah,” defined, “apostasy,” “turning back/away,” “backsliding,” “waywardness,” and “unfaithful” (Prov.1:32; Jer.3:6,8,11,12,22; 5:6; 8:5; 14:7; Hos.11:7). 

 

Time and again we read scriptural accounts of Israel’s unfaithfulness/apostasy due to their “abominations,” which described various kinds of wickedness they were warned against and described as “detestable things/images” and “disgusting thing/idols/god/practices” (Deut.12:31; 18:9-12; 20:18; 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 16:3; 21:2; 23:24; 2 Chron.28:3; Jer.4:1; 16:18; 32:34; Ezek.5:11; 7:20; 11:18).

 

Ancient Israel was God’s “treasured possession,” a “holy people,” and where He dwelled, but their abominable idolatrous practices were considered adultery/prostitution/“acts of harlotry,” and resulted in God describing them as a “prostitute”/“harlot” (Deut.7:6; 26:18; 14:2; Exod.34:14-16; Num.35:34; Jer.2:11,20; 5:7; 13:27; 16:18; Hos.3:1; 4:15; 9:1; Psalm 106:39; Isa.1:21; Ezek.16:15,22,25,34,36). 

 

Did you ever take note of the pattern of ancient Israel’s priesthood? The priesthood were the only consecrated persons to permitted to carry out “daily sacrifices,” or offerings in God’s tabernacle and Temple…all others/”foreigners uncircumcised”/Gentiles/non-consecrated persons were forbidden from duties in the Temple, at the penalty of death (Jer.33:18; Deut.17:14,15; Lev.3:16; 17:5,6; 2 Chron.23:6,7; 1 Chron.9:33; Exod.29:38-40,42-44; 40:15,16; Num.18:7; 28:6; Lev.6:9-12; Ezek.44:9). 

 

Despite being repeatedly told that that no one “except the priests and Levites” were permitted to serve in the Temple, the Israelites even departed from that divine command and appointed uncircumcised foreigners to “keep charge” of God’s sanctuary (Ezek.44:6-8,10,12,15; 20:30,31; Num.18:7). 

 

We recall that “all the things that were written beforehand were written to instruct us” (Rom.15:4). What a constellation of apostate acts have been recorded and described in the scriptures! Both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures come together perfectly to present a complete picture that perfectly guides us on how what apostate acts are, and how to identify apostasy, according to God and Jesus. Let’s first start with the Hebrew scriptures, which describe God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, and the divine commands regarding worship they were not to depart from: 

 

· God referred to the nation of Israel as “My people,” “a holy nation,” “holy people,” and His “dwelling place” (Deut.7:6; 26:19; 28:9; Exod.19:6; 22:31; 25:8; Lev.21:15; 2 Chron.7:14; 1 Kings 8:16; Isa.51:4; Ezek.21:12; 37:27). 

 

· God established a covenant with His people whom He chose, and gave them divine commandments and instruction for building the Temple and sanctuary (Deut.14:2; Gen.17:4; Exod.25:8,9; Exod.19:5; 24:8; Deut.4:13; see Exod.24-26). 

 

· Temple duties were limited to a consecrated priesthood, anointed to carry out the daily sacrifices/offerings/sacred service (Exod.29:1,9,29,44; Lev.6:9-12; Num.18:7; Jer.33:18; 1 Chron.9:33; 23:24; 2 Chron.23:6,7; 26:16-18; 13:10,11; 35:3; Neh.12:44-47; 13:10,11; Ezek.44:6-8). 

 

· Uncircumcised foreigners/Gentiles were forbidden from sacred service duties in God’s Temple and forbidden to be appointed as king over Israel (Deut.17:14,15; 2 Chron.23:6; Ezek.44:6-9; Lam.1:10; 5:2). 

 

· God’s holy people were commanded not to imitate the customs of worship of the surrounding nations, and their abominable idolatrous and detestable practices (Deut.12:30; 18:9; 20:18; 2 Kings 9:9, 17:7-15). 

 

· Warnings against idolatry included setting up physical idols and setting up “idols in their heart” (Deut.4:16,23; Exod.20:1-5; 23:13; 34:17; Lev.19:4; 26:1; Ezek.44:12; 14:1-5). 

 

· Israel had a choice: Obey God’s commandments, be blessed and looked upon with favor, or do not obey God’s commandments and lose blessings and favor, and bear the consequences of their sin/unfaithfulness (Deut.7:12; 11:13-17; 28:1,15; Lev.26:3-13,14-39; 1 Chron.9:1; 2 Chron.7:19-22; Hosea 10:15; 11:7; Ezek.15:8; 39:23,26; 44:10-12; Josh.22:20; Dan.9:7).

 

· Israel’s record reveals they often became wayward/apostate/unfaithful, and their rebellious acts likened to adultery, prostitution, and the “sin of divination” (1 Sam.15:23; Lev.17:7; Jer.3:6,8; Zeph.1:3-5; Hosea 6:7; 9:1; Ezra 9:1,2; Josh.7:1; 1 Chron.5:25; 2 Chron.28:22; 29:6; 30:7; Ezek.20:27). 

 

· Israel’s acts of unfaithfulness included “detestable practices of the nations,” idolatry/trusting in idols, and breaking the divine commands of who may perform sacred service in the Temple (2 Kings 17:7-11,15,41; 9:22; 21:21; Exod.32:4,8; Judges 18:31; 2 Chron.26:16-18; 36:14; Jer.48:7; Isa.44:17; Ezek.23:49; Hosea 4:12; 10:5,13; Psalm 52:7; 135:15-18). 

 

· Detestable and idolatrous acts were likened to sexual immorality; God described His people’s “acts of harlotry” and adultery as sexual immorality and called them a “prostitute”/”harlot.” (Isa.1:21; Lev.17:7; Jer. 2:17,19-22; 3:6-9; 9:2; Isa.1:21; Ezekiel 16:1,2,14-17,20-26,32,33,35,36; Micah 1:7; Hosea 4:12; 9:1). 

 

· When Israel was unfaithful, God “kept warning them by means of his messengers, warning them again and again, because he felt compassion for his people and for his dwelling place,” and good news that a repentant remnant of Israel, at times, only a few refugees, would be saved (2 Kings 17:12,13; 2 Chron.36:14,15; Isa.1:9;19,27,28; 10:20-22; 28:5; 41:8,9,27; Jer.23:3; 44:14; Ezra 9:8; Nahum 1:14,15; Micah 2:12; Hos.1:10; Joel 2:32). 

 

The apostles drew attention to the first covenant Temple arrangement as it foreshadowed, illustrated, and served as a pattern for the spiritual Temple arrangement under the new covenant established by Jesus’ sacrificial death (1 Cor.10:6,7,11; Heb.7:19; 8:5; 9:1,8-10; 10:1; Col.2:17; Rom.4:18,22-25).

 

· All anointed “have an anointing from the Holy Spirit” by God, and become part of “Christ’s body.” Christ’s body is “not of one member but of many” with each part given different gifts according to the Holy Spirit given them from God (Matt.16:18; 2 Cor.1:21; Col.2:9; 1 John 2:20; Heb.12:23; Acts 1:4; Rom.8:15,28; 12:4,5; 1 Cor.2:11-13; 10:17; 12:12-18,27-29; 14:33; John 2:19,21; Mark 14:58; Jude 1:13; Rev.1:5,2). 

 

· All anointed are “living stones,” a “spiritual house” in which “the whole building,” “God’s household,” is built together into “a holy Temple.” Christ is the “foundation cornerstone,” a “chief cornerstone,” and “Son over God’s house,” in which “there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved” (1 Pet.2:4,5; Heb.3:6; Acts 4:11,12; 1 Tim.3:15; Eph.2:19-22; Matt.21:42; Isa.28:16; 1 Pet 2:4,5,9,10; 1 John 2:27 John 14:26). 

 

· All anointed are “God’s Temple” and “dwelling place.” Ancient Israel and their Temple worship served as a “copy and shadow of heavenly things. When the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ disciples, they grasped that the physical city of Jerusalem was no longer God’s Temple for worship, and expressed that as “living stones,” they are God’s Temple and dwelling place and that He dwells in them. Yes, the early Christians had fellowship and congregated in homes, and the apostle Paul drove the point home to them that God does not dwell in man-made Temples. Jesus, as high priest, and “mediator of a better covenant,” is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God, and is a minister of God’s sanctuary and true tabernacle erected not by man, but by God (1 Cor.3:16,17; Matt.12:6; Acts 7:48,49; 17:24; Heb.8:1-6; Heb.9:11,24; Heb.10:19-21; John 4:21-24; Isa.66:1; 2 Cor.5:1). 

 

· All anointed are a “holy priesthood” with Jesus as “high priest.” Jesus “has become surety of a better covenant,” making obsolete the old covenant with his death. Jesus has a “permanent priesthood,” those who God considers to be “My people,” just was ancient Israel, but now ordaining a spiritual priesthood for acts of divine service, a sacred service without the limitations of physical burnt offerings, but “spiritual sacrifices” (Heb.3:1; Heb.7:22,24,26-28; Heb.8:1,9,10; Heb.9:1,6-10; Heb.10:5-10; Rom.12:1; 1 Pet.2:5,9). 

 

· All anointed, Christ’s body, are Jesus’ “congregation.” Jesus Christ is the “firstborn” and “the Ruler of the kings of the earth” - Jesus is not the ruler of the world, but he is the “head” and the ruler over his “body,” his “congregation” of all anointed (John 12:31; 14:30; 1 Cor.2:12; 12:12-18,27-29; Rev.1:5,6; 2:11; 5:10; 3:21; 12:9; 20:4,6). 

 

· All anointed are taught directly by the Spirit. Spirit teaches all anointed, and together, as a “holy priesthood,” they must carry out their priestly duties by offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. These “sacrifices” are not literal burnt offerings as was carried out by ancient Israel’s priesthood who served in God’s Temple. All anointed, as God’s Temple, are to offer themselves as a “living sacrifice,” and through a perpetual “sacrifice of praise,” which is a bearing of “much fruit,” “the fruit of the lips”; sharing with others what the Spirit has taught them (John 14:26; Heb.13:15,16; Psalm 119:108; Rom.12:1; 1 John 2:20,27; 1 Cor.1:21; 2:10; 12:7,11-13; Matt.7:17; 13:23; Mark 4:20; 1 John 2:27; 14:16; 15:4,5,16,18,26; 12:24; 16:3,7,13; Acts 2:33; Jer.33:18; Rev.22:3-5). 

 

· All anointed are ”branches” that must remain attached to the “vine”/Jesus. All anointed must remain faithful to Christ’s teachings, lest they stray, become unfaithful, and be “cut off” from the vine/Jesus, discarded/”thrown into the fire.” Yes, it is possible for anointed to stop following Jesus, become apostate, and lose their “light.” Without “light”, they are in darkness and become false teachers, producing “fruit”/teachings that “rot”/expire and are thus, lies (Heb.3:12-15; 4:7,11; 6:4-6,18; John 3:19; 8:12; 15:5-7,16; 2 Cor.2:11; 4:6; 11:13,14; Rom.11:17-22; Acts 26:18,23; Matt.22:14; 7:15-23; 15:8,9; Mark 13:22; 1 John 2:11; John 8:44; Num.23:19). 

 

We now have the keys, the scriptures, to identify an apostate! Carefully examine the example of ancient Israel, God’s people, and take note of the divine laws regarding the Temple/tabernacle arrangement….THIS is a pattern and foreshadow of God’s spiritual Temple (Eph.2:14-16; 1 Cor.10:6,7,11; Rom.4:23; Num.18:1,5-7; 2 Chron.23:5,6,18,19; Heb.8:5; 10:1; Col.2:17).

 

According to scripture, here is what we know:

· Jesus’ faithful death fulfilled the old covenant, making it obsolete, and established a new covenant, one where God’s Temple is made up of spirit-anointed persons that include Gentiles, who are spiritual Jews, a “holy priesthood”/Jesus’ congregation. All anointed are God’s Temple, “living stones” that build His “house” (1 Pet.2:5; 1 Cor.3:10; 12:27,28; Rom.12:4-8; Eph.2:19-22; Rom.2:25-29; Col.2:11; 3:11,12,15; Phil.3:3; 1 Cor.7:19; Gal.5:6). 

 

· Jesus foretold that “many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matt.24:10,11). Jesus said, “watch out for false prophets” (Matt.7:15-20), “Watch out that no one deceives you” (Mark 13:5). Deception is an attempt to lead you in the wrong way, away from true teachings of Jesus Christ. 

 

· Will it be easy to identify a false prophet? No, it will not. Jesus warns that false prophets will deceive by appearing sheep-like and be successful because they will actually be well received and praised by many people (Luke 6:26; 1 Cor.2:14; 2 Cor.11:13-15; 1 John 4:1; Heb.5:14; Matt.7:15; 24:11,25; 22:14; Rom.12:2; John 7:24; 1 Tim.4:1; 1 Thess.5:21). 

 

· Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness” (Luke 17:20). However, a “natural person” is enticed by the “senses,” and unable to “hear” and “see” because of not using spiritual discernment (1 Cor.2:14; Matt.13:13,14; 16:1-4; 12:39; 23:27,28; Mark 8:11,12; Luke 12:54-56; 2 Pet.2:18; Rom.8:5-8; 11:8; 1 John 4:1; 2 Thess.2:2; Jer.5:21). 

 

Such persons will be easily deceived by false prophets who were foretold by Jesus to perform “great signs and wonders,” observable acts done to elicit a reaction of awe from onlookers, and to deceive, “if possible, even the elect,” spiritual Jews/anointed (Mark 13:22; Matt.24:24,22,31; John 4:48). 

 

· Jesus said we would recognize false prophets by their “fruit.” What fruit? Jesus’s teachings because he is the “fruit of the light,” “the light of the world” and reflects God’s light, God’s truth (John 3:19,21; 8:12; 12:46; 14:6; 17:17; Eph.5:9; 1 John 1:5-7; 2:8; 2 Cor.4:6; Luke 11:36; Psalm 27:1). 

 

· The teachings, the “fruit,” we ingest from those we trust to be faithful anointed taught by Holy Spirit, does that “fruit” rot away and expire over time? If so, we are ingesting “fruit” from a false prophet, an anointed that has departed from Jesus’ teachings. Do not be deceived, God and Jesus will not vacillate or have difficulty relaying truth by the “Spirit of truth” for as we know “It is impossible for God to lie” or to “change His mind” (Heb.6:18; Titus 1:2; James 1:17; Num.23:19; John 14:17,26; 15:26; 1 John 4:6; Psalm 25:5). Truth that “rots” is a lie, a hallmark of Satan who “masquerades as an angel of light,” and is the father of the lie (Matt.7:15-23; 12:33;15:8; Luke 6:43,44; 2 Cor.2:11; 11:13,14; John 8:44; Heb.6:18). 

 

· Jesus’ apostles too warned of individuals who are among God’s household, His Temple, who would lead in teaching others yet would become unfaithful/apostate. “The inspired word clearly says that in later time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons” (1 Tim.4:1; 2 Tim.4:3,4; Acts 20:29,30; 2 Cor.11:3,13-15; 6:16; Eph.2:21,22; 1 John 4:1; Col.2:8; 1 Tim.4:1). The apostles did not exclude their own teachings from being thoroughly tested against scripture, and reminded the early Christians to “test all things,” a reminder preserved for us today in which no one is excluded from (1 Thess.5:21; 1 John 4:1). 

 

What Temple of God was the apostle Paul speaking about? Ancient Israel? No, remember the scriptures tell us that those anointed by Spirit are “living stones,” they are God’s Temple. (1 Pet.2:5; 1 Cor.3:16,17). Is it feasible to think the Father departed, apostatized from His own truthful words, breaking his covenant with His people and directing His son Jesus to select a religious group among all the religions on the globe as a representation of the Most High? That instead of all anointed being God’s Temple, anointed leaders are to imitate surrounding physical religious organizations common today, perhaps imitating televangelists, or churches, in the sense of man-made buildings/structures. Did Jesus depart from his own teaching that anointed, who are the parts of his “body” and taught directly by Spirit, are now, not to receive direction from him, their “head,” and that he now, diverts his authority over his own “congregation”/”body” to not-anointed elders/overseers/physical Gentiles to teach and judge them? (Ezek.20:32; 2 Cor.6:16; 1 Cor.6:15,19,20; 12:12,13,27,28; 1 John 2:27; John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7,13; 1 Thess.1:9; Eph.1:23; 5:5; Isa.42:8; Lev.19:4; 26:1; 1 John 5:21; Rom.1:21-23; Gal.1:6-9; Deut.12:29-32; Lev.20:22,23; Jer.10:2-4; 1 Cor.2:14; Deut.7:26; Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14). 

 

We are warned that an “apostasy comes first” before “God’s day.” “Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it [God’s day, vs.2] will not come until the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the Temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god” (2 Thess.2:3,4). 

 

This very thing was prophesied to occur, is happening now, and has been revealed in Revelation. What anointed leaders have departed from Christ’s teachings and have become adulterous with their idolatrous acts by setting up an idol, a physical religious organization that claims the title of “God’s earthly organization”? “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I, then, take the members of the Christ away and join them to a prostitute? By no means!” (1 Cor.6:15). This “wild beast,” Watchtower, is led by a “false prophet” who has “breathed life,” a spirit of divine authority into its “image,” not-anointed elders/overseers (Rev.13:1-18). The only spirit this “image” has been given is out of the mouth of the “false prophet,” a deceiving spirit that originates from Satan and blasphemes God, “slandering his name and his dwelling place,” His holy people…inciting God’s wrath (Rev.13:4,7-10; Rom.2:5-8; Rev.14:9-11; 1 Pet.2:9; Heb.13:14; Col.3:12; Eph.2:6-10,12,19-22; Phil.3:3; Rom.2:28,29; 1 John 4:6; 2:44; 8:44; Jude 1:4; Deut.7:26; 29:17; Jer.16:18; Isa.62:12; Ezek.5:11; 11:21; 16:36; 20:7,8; Ezra 9:1,2; Rom.2:17-24; Acts 17:24; Acts 7:48-53; Titus 1:2). 

 

Do you dare to confront the leaders of Watchtower or their elder/overseer representatives who speak for them about their false teachings, or openly disagree with them? If so, will you be left “unharmed” (avoid shunning, disfellowshipping)? “Who is like the wild beast [Watchtower], and who can do battle with it?” (Rev.13:4). “And it [the false prophet] was permitted to give breath [appearance of divine spirit and authority] to the image of the wild beast [not anointed elders/overseers], so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed (symbolic for disfellowshipping and shunning) all those who refuse to worship the image of the wild beast” (Rev.13:15).

 

Can you now, using scripture, spiritually discern the apostasy that has occurred and the man of lawlessness/Gentiles/not-anointed that have taken a seat in God’s Temple and are trampling God’s spiritual Temple? (2 Thess.2:1-4; Exod.20:3; 1 Cor.3:16,17; 6:2; Mark 13:1,2,14; Luke 21:20-24,28; 17:20,21; Matt.24:12,15,16; Rom.12:1; Dan.11:31; Rev.11:1,2; 13:7; 17:15; 21:27; John 18:36; Matt.24:4; Ezek.5:11; Deut.7:26; 2 Kings 17:41). 

 

God’s spiritual Temple, Jesus, the head of this “congregation,” is being surrounded, hemmed in and trampled by not anointed/physical Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Rev.11:2; 12:17; 19:20; Dan.8:13; Heb.10:29; Acts 3:17-20; Jer.12:10; 17:5; 32:36-44; Isa.1:4-9; Rom.9:31-33; 6:16,20-22). Do you discern the abomination? It is time to flee! (Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:21; Dan9:27). “But a physical man does not accept the things of the spirit of God, they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually” (1 Cor.2:14). 

 

God is right 100% of the time…all His prophecies come true (Dan.8:13; 1 Thess.5:20,21; 1 Cor.14:32; Deut.18:18,19; Jer.12:10; 17:5; 32:36-44; Heb.10:29; Hos.12:10; Amos 3:7; 2 Chron.20:20; 24:19; Isa.1:4-9; 8:20; 30:10; Matt.5:11,12; Rom.12:6,7; Eph.4:11-13; 1 John 4:1). 

 

God always warns His people when they become wayward, sending messengers to warn them, and with good news...a remnant will repent, and return to their “head,” Jesus, worshiping God in truth and spirit (Rev.22:12-16,18,19; 21:22-27; Eph.4:15; 5:23; Col.2:10; John 4:23,24; 16:13; Rev.3:12; 12:17; 19:20; Acts 3:17-20; Jer.4:1; Isa. 10:20-23; Ezek.11:18; 2 Kings 19:30,31; Rom.6:16; 9:27). 

 

Who do you believe and have more faith in…Christ’s teachings, or the Watchtower’s? (John 5:22-24: Luke 10:16; 1 John 2:23; Isa.29:13; Mark 7:6; Matt.15:8; Eph.2:8,9; Titus 1:16). 

 

“Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues” (Rev.18:4).

 

YHVH's Genuine Mountain

 

 

 

 

6 hours ago, TrueTomHarley said:

Yeah, what about that @Witness?

You sound like a bully in a schoolyard, Tom.