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Witness

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  1. Downvote
    Witness got a reaction from Dmitar in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    That is a good statement for JWs to ruminate on...considering all the failed dates for Armageddon, "this generation" teaching, many other doctrinal failures; and the concept of an earthly organization as the way to salvation.   
  2. Downvote
    Witness got a reaction from Dmitar in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    For anyone interested, here is a very fair, well written article about its possible position in the scriptures, including lists of early manuscripts that included it.
    https://www.notjustanotherbook.com/disputedjohn.htm
    From the article:
    "People who make up stories tend to have too many details or are completely vague with almost no specifics. Here this passage has the details expected from an eye-witness. For example, someone on the sidelines would record Jesus writing on the ground, but not specifically what He was writing. Certainly this account is in harmony with how Jesus is characterized and acted throughout the gospels. It is most probable that this was an authentic episode in the life of Jesus.
    If this passage was a forged or invented account, a huge question would be "why?" Unlike the Gnostic and heretical forgeries that arose in the time of the apostles and continued into the first centuries of the church, this account does not contain any new and aberrant doctrine, nor does it contradict any other teaching of Scriptures. In fact, if it was created by a heretic, it has never surfaced in any heretical or alternative gospel. There's no evidence it's a fraud."
  3. Downvote
    Witness got a reaction from Dmitar in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    Are you inspired to know this?
    You’re checking the hand of God.  (Isa 55:8)  If God inspired the addition of lost information in the book of John, and did this through an individual, what is it to you?
    25 "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written."  John 21:25
     
     
  4. Downvote
    Witness got a reaction from Dmitar in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    Did it ever occur to you that the early scribes may be have been at fault for leaving out this passage, and that God made sure it was replaced, especially for our sake in the last days?  Read it, and notice what Jesus was speaking about in the temple before the event with the adulterous woman took place. 
    "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."  John 7:37,38
    At dawn of the very next day, he was teaching in the temple courts. The Pharisees brought in the woman, attempting to trap him with their questions. Notice, Jesus bent over and wrote in the dust. (John 8:6) We have a reference of another writing in the dust, and the connection to "living water".  
    "Lord, you are the hope of Israel;
        all who forsake you will be put to shame.
    Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust
        because they have forsaken the Lord,
        the spring of living water."  Jer 17:13
    The majority of the Jews rejected Jesus Christ as the source of living water.  They preferred the "yeast of the Pharisees".  (Matt 16:11,12)  Today, the same is happening in your organization.  "Living water" in Jesus Christ is polluted by doctrines of men.  (2 Thess 9:9-12; Heb 12:15; Rev 8:10,11)  Judgment is made against individuals by your laws in a book compiled by men.  Do they dare cast the first stone, these men who have trampled down the Temple of God, assuming God has assigned them to shepherd the people above and beyond His priesthood?  (Mark 13:14) (Mal 2:7; 1 Cor 6:1,2)
    Do you prefer the "yeast' of the GB over the living water in Jesus Christ?
     
  5. Downvote
    Witness got a reaction from Dmitar in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    I don't think you are clearly seeing what Jesus is saying in Matt 10:23.   
    I’m sure you agree that “good news of the Kingdom” has been spread throughout the earth since the early apostles’ day.  But Jesus is telling his future anointed disciples about a direct preaching work to the “towns of Israel” – to the Israel of God.   This message cannot reach all before the return of Christ, because of resistance against it.  There is a lockdown of the flow of spiritual food.  There is a warning given by your leaders that any message that comes from outside the organization, is false. Listening to such a message can result in one's condemnation contrived by men.  Dan 11:36; Rev 13:5-7; 11:1,2   Rev 13:15-17
    Who is “Israel” today?  Rom 9:6-8; Gal 4:26,28;1 Pet 2:5,9,10; Gal 6:15,16; Heb 8:10; Rev 7:4
    Why do they receive the message?  Matt 24:9-12, 15,16,23-24; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Tim 4:1,2; 2 Thess 2:1-4;9-12; Rev 13:5-7,18; 16:13-16; 20:7-9  (Rev 17:1,2,5,6,18;18:3-8)
    Why are those of Christ’s disciples who are preaching this “good news”, persecuted for their message they bring to the “towns of Israel”?  Matt 10:16-23,39; John 15:20; Matt 24:48-51; John 16:2; Heb 13:12-14; Rev 13:1,2,11,12,15; 11:1-3,7
    God’s Temple in the anointed ones - those “living stones” and dwelling of God’s spirit – has been trampled by your elder body/Beast/organization at the direction of false teachers/prophets.  The anointed have allowed “foreigners” to “enter” God’s sanctuary.  This is why “Israel” receives the “good news” of the restoration of “Jacob”/Israel  in the last days.  Ezek 44:6-9,10,12,15; 20:30,31; Num.18:7; Mal 3:1-5; 4:5,6; Matt 17:11; Rev 11:1-3 (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Rom 15:16; Eph 2:20-22) (Isa 43:1,10-12; 48:20; Rev 18:4)
     
    Has God ever condoned the replacement of His royal priesthood as your GB has?  Is there anywhere in the scriptures that tells us a “Gentile” can “represent the royal priesthood”?  2 Chron 13:9  This is a choice every JW must make, to either listen carefully to the word of God, or choose to listen to the words of men.   Isa 2:17,22; Joel 3:14
     
    Daniel Chapter 11:31-45

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

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

  8. Upvote
    Witness reacted to xero in It's interesting how when we read scriptures which give analogies of the delta between us and Jehovah   
    Like these....
    Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, And your ways are not my ways,” declares Jehovah. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So my ways are higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts."
     
    42 Then Job said in reply to Jehovah:
     2 “Now I know that you are able to do all things
    And that nothing you have in mind to do is impossible for you.+
     3 You said, ‘Who is this who is obscuring my counsel without knowledge?’+
    Therefore I spoke, but without understanding
    About things too wonderful for me, which I do not know.+
     4 You said, ‘Please listen, and I will speak.
    I will question you, and you inform me.’+
     5 My ears have heard about you,
    But now I do see you with my eyes.
     6 That is why I take back what I said,*+
    And I repent in dust and ashes.”+
     
    ...we implicitly act as if this isn't true, boldly concluding things Jehovah's going to do or not do and even the manner of his doing or not doing.
    We can't let it go.
  9. Like
    Witness got a reaction from Kick_Faceinator in SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE ARMY OF LOCUSTS   
    GB Gerrit Loesch:  “Today the faithful slave was put in charge of providing spiritual food for God’s people who number into the millions.  The slave also shows complete trust in Jehovah that he will guide them with his holy spirit.  What makes it possible for the faithful and discreet slave to provide precious spiritual food?
    “I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go"  says Jehovah.  Ps 32:8 
    Today Jehovah provides direction to the slave through Jesus.  Jesus in turns provides direction for his people through the faithful and discreet slave.  We can have therefore, full confidence in the scriptural insight, understanding and guidance.
    Since 1919 of our common era the slave has been put in charge of some belongings of Christ.  According to Matt 24:47, when the anointed are taken to heaven, Jesus will at that point entrust all his belongings to them.  Does this not reveal immense trust?
    So whom do you trust?  You fully trust in Jehovah, Jesus and the faithful slave.” 2015
     
    “For many years, we have applied that prophecy symbolically to the way in which Jehovah’s people, like an unstoppable swarm of locusts, engage in their preaching activity. We understood that this activity has devastating effects on the “land,” or the people who are under the control of the religious leaders.
    However, when we consider the prophecy in its context, we see that a different understanding is appropriate.”  April 2020 study edition
     
    How long will JWs continue to "fully trust" men who presumptuously and arrogantly call themselves "faithful and discreet" before Jesus makes that judgment upon his return?  (Matt 25:21)
    Other translations for "discreet" use, "wise, trusted, sensible", none of which can apply to the GB.
    It would have been a wise and sensible move to have read the entire book of Joel "in its context" before assuming that this army was God's holy people.  
     
     But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.    (2 Cor 10:17,18)
      
     
     
     
     
     
     
  10. Like
    Witness got a reaction from Kick_Faceinator in SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE ARMY OF LOCUSTS   
    Yes, your blind leaders gave that illustration of lions.   Remember, it is the same leadership who for years believed God’s anointed were Joel’s locusts, but you still put your trust in them.    You may want to search the scriptures to find for yourself just one instance where locusts, and especially a swarm of locust, have even one redeeming quality. 
    Both the locusts in Joel and Revelation give emphasis on their ability to eat and destroy with their teeth.    
    Joel 2:6 - A nation has invaded My land,
        a mighty army without number;
    it has the teeth of a lion,
        the fangs of a lioness.
    Rev 9:7-11 - The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).
    “ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”  1 Pet 5:8,9
    “devour” - to drink down, i.e. gulp entire (literally or figuratively):—devour, drown, swallow (up).
    Who does Satan come against in Revelation?  Jesus’ “kings” under the New Covenant promise/”woman”, who are not sealed.  (Rev 1:5)
    See: Gal 4:24,26; Rev 9:4; 12:15; 16:13-17
    Jesus, as the Lion of Judah does not destroy people, but only death. 1 Cor 15:26  He does not use deception, as if to capture a prey. Col 2:8; Rev 13:10
    Rev 5:5 - "Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
    John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
    “overcome” – “conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.”
    The victory over death by the sacrifice of his life. 
    You leader’s comment regarding the mention of both Jesus and Satan described as lions to validate his argument that there can be a good locust army, and a wicked locust army, is futile.    A locust swarm has only one characteristic, which is to eat and decimate land, and as the scriptures symbolically point out, it includes people, who refuse to repent from the works of their hands, as is the case in Joel. 
    “Let the priests, who minister to the Lord,
    Weep between the porch and the altar;
    Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord,
    And do not give Your heritage to reproach,
    That the nations should rule over them.
    Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?’ ”  Joel 2:17
    The locust “army” that rules over the nation of “Israel” today, and that wears “crowns” (Rev 9:7) is the nation of “Gentile” elders, who rule over the anointed ones/”Israel” – blaspheming the sanctuary of God by putting His anointed “in their place”, using lies about them to do so.  Rev 13:5-8   The organization/idol is far more important to all JWs, than God’s Temple/House of “living stones” in the anointed priesthood.  1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17; Eph 2:20-22
    “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Rev 13:4
     
    But, Arauna, we’ve been down this road before, haven’t we.  And even though you have seen that your leaders preach a “truth” that never was a truth, you continue to support them, and the rotten fruit they teach. Matt 7:15-20  Their failed teachings never brought one iota of quality spiritual "life" to the poor JW who swallowed them down.  
  11. Like
    Witness got a reaction from Kick_Faceinator in SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE ARMY OF LOCUSTS   
    @Patiently waiting for Truth said in a recent closed topic about the identity of the locust in Joel   - "The Watchtower / JW Org / GB, here admitted that what they had been teaching was FALSE."
    Yes! For years!  Noting this error has astounded people of other religions in the world.  But, JWs believe they have the "truth", that they live and teach the "truth" ...that their preaching work is "truth"...and that the GB are guiding this organization...in truth. 
    Is this truth based on just a few core teachings?  Apparently so. 
    As Jesus said about the Pharisees,   "Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" Matt 23:24
     
     
     
     
  12. Downvote
    Witness got a reaction from Dmitar in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    It appears you removed part of your comment... never mind.  I found it in another comment - 
    "There is plenty of reason to not believe it. Though Jesus forgives sin frequently in scripture, there is always some evidence of repentance on the sinning one’s part. There is some basis for forgiveness. Here there is not."
      Well, it is true that the Wt. cannot tolerate these "spurious" scriptures because they would diminish the power of disfellowshipping.  
    Jesus knew the heart of each person that he met.  He could read the heart of the woman "who led a sinful life" in Luke 7:36-50, and he forgave her.  (Matt 12:25; Luke 6:8; John 2:25)  It is impossible for your leaders to accept the passage of "mercy" in John 7-8 as @Pudgy called it, because there was no visible evidence of remorse over the woman's sins.  Elders, as you well know, cannot read a person's heart.  So they judge in error, many times destroying the lives of the person they have judged.  Jesus could never judge a person's heart in error.   Not only have JWs checked the hand of God in HIs ability to bring this passage to light,  but also is the hand of Jesus Christ.  JWs find it impossible for Jesus to forgive the woman so easily in the account. 
    "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."   Rom 13:10
    "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'”  Gal 5:14
    "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right."  James 2:8
    This "law" was set up by God of the "Old Testament".  Yet, the Wt "law" that is set up through the hands of "Jehovah's organization", does not react with love.  It reacts through the power of men over others.  It reacts through selfish desires.  
    "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."  Col 1:15  This means that even the God of the "Old Testament" would have forgiven and saved the woman from death, at the hands of the lying Pharisees. 
     
     
  13. Downvote
    Witness got a reaction from Dmitar in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    I really don't know why you expect people to jump at your command.  I gave you a link to a comprehensive article.  I have given my opinion on the scriptures.  You have given yours.  If that is not good enough, nothing will be good enough for you - a man who demands obedience to his rules.  Sheesh, SM, this is a forum of opinions, thoughts and feelings, and facts.  Whatever you contribute, I'm fine with it, but don't expect me to follow your lead!
     
  14. Downvote
    Witness got a reaction from Dmitar in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    Do all "Trinitarians" think alike?  Do all "Anti-Trinitarians" think alike?  Obviously not.  This is one "Anti-Trinitarian" that believes John 7:53-8:11 is a true account, and the account has nothing to do with the trinity.   I so appreciated how you described the qualities of Jesus Christ, but even though we are both “Anti-Trinitarians”, I don’t believe in all that you believe. You have to accept that.  In fact, I think you tend to focus on the worldly and not on the spiritual. You apply earthly concepts to the meaning of prophecy as JWs do, which comes through the eyes of a “natural man”.  (1 Cor 2:14)
     I very much appreciated how the link I provided was laid out clearly for me, even though the writer may be a “Trinitarian”.  So, what am I to do, shun all Trinitarians even though there may be some truth to their words in other topics?  If I am to shun all Catholics, I should be shunning my brother and his family and all of his friends.  Yet, my Catholic sister-in-law has worked in the soup kitchen for many years, providing for the homeless.  I am not in charge of reading her heart, or the hearts of my family.  They accepted me for my “anti-trinitarian” + Watchtower beliefs…for years. My sons are now agnostic. Should I shun them because they fit in some category?   Their judgment is in the hands of God, as is mine.  I am not in charge of reading the hearts of all "Trinitarians"; are you?  
     I am an “Anti-Trinitarian” as you say, as are the people I have come from.  I don’t shun them for not believing in their organization, but they shun me for my actions/words against it.   Can you see how lumping people into a specific group of "trinitarian" and "anti-trinitarian", is going a little overboard?   It is just another form of bias.
    This is the time of confusion, which will eventually be cleared up for all righteous-hearted people, who will come to the knowledge of truth.  Isa 2
     
  15. Downvote
    Witness got a reaction from Dmitar in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    You live in a spiritual haven where love can be turned off at the drop of an announcement - "disfellowshipped!"  So I understand why you are so adamant that these scriptures are "spurious", never to have been added to God's word at any time over history.    And, it can't be dismissed that its presence in your Bible would be a challenge to overcome, if a JW brought them up in a judicial meeting. Because it isn't in there, it makes life for your judges so much easier to follow their rules, instead of the law of love in Jesus Christ.
     
     
     
     
  16. Upvote
    Witness got a reaction from Kick_Faceinator in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    You live in a spiritual haven where love can be turned off at the drop of an announcement - "disfellowshipped!"  So I understand why you are so adamant that these scriptures are "spurious", never to have been added to God's word at any time over history.    And, it can't be dismissed that its presence in your Bible would be a challenge to overcome, if a JW brought them up in a judicial meeting. Because it isn't in there, it makes life for your judges so much easier to follow their rules, instead of the law of love in Jesus Christ.
     
     
     
     
  17. Upvote
    Witness got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    You live in a spiritual haven where love can be turned off at the drop of an announcement - "disfellowshipped!"  So I understand why you are so adamant that these scriptures are "spurious", never to have been added to God's word at any time over history.    And, it can't be dismissed that its presence in your Bible would be a challenge to overcome, if a JW brought them up in a judicial meeting. Because it isn't in there, it makes life for your judges so much easier to follow their rules, instead of the law of love in Jesus Christ.
     
     
     
     
  18. Upvote
    Witness got a reaction from Srecko Sostar in SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE ARMY OF LOCUSTS   
    GB Gerrit Loesch:  “Today the faithful slave was put in charge of providing spiritual food for God’s people who number into the millions.  The slave also shows complete trust in Jehovah that he will guide them with his holy spirit.  What makes it possible for the faithful and discreet slave to provide precious spiritual food?
    “I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go"  says Jehovah.  Ps 32:8 
    Today Jehovah provides direction to the slave through Jesus.  Jesus in turns provides direction for his people through the faithful and discreet slave.  We can have therefore, full confidence in the scriptural insight, understanding and guidance.
    Since 1919 of our common era the slave has been put in charge of some belongings of Christ.  According to Matt 24:47, when the anointed are taken to heaven, Jesus will at that point entrust all his belongings to them.  Does this not reveal immense trust?
    So whom do you trust?  You fully trust in Jehovah, Jesus and the faithful slave.” 2015
     
    “For many years, we have applied that prophecy symbolically to the way in which Jehovah’s people, like an unstoppable swarm of locusts, engage in their preaching activity. We understood that this activity has devastating effects on the “land,” or the people who are under the control of the religious leaders.
    However, when we consider the prophecy in its context, we see that a different understanding is appropriate.”  April 2020 study edition
     
    How long will JWs continue to "fully trust" men who presumptuously and arrogantly call themselves "faithful and discreet" before Jesus makes that judgment upon his return?  (Matt 25:21)
    Other translations for "discreet" use, "wise, trusted, sensible", none of which can apply to the GB.
    It would have been a wise and sensible move to have read the entire book of Joel "in its context" before assuming that this army was God's holy people.  
     
     But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.    (2 Cor 10:17,18)
      
     
     
     
     
     
     
  19. Upvote
    Witness got a reaction from Srecko Sostar in SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE ARMY OF LOCUSTS   
    @Patiently waiting for Truth said in a recent closed topic about the identity of the locust in Joel   - "The Watchtower / JW Org / GB, here admitted that what they had been teaching was FALSE."
    Yes! For years!  Noting this error has astounded people of other religions in the world.  But, JWs believe they have the "truth", that they live and teach the "truth" ...that their preaching work is "truth"...and that the GB are guiding this organization...in truth. 
    Is this truth based on just a few core teachings?  Apparently so. 
    As Jesus said about the Pharisees,   "Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" Matt 23:24
     
     
     
     
  20. Upvote
    Witness got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE ARMY OF LOCUSTS   
    @Patiently waiting for Truth said in a recent closed topic about the identity of the locust in Joel   - "The Watchtower / JW Org / GB, here admitted that what they had been teaching was FALSE."
    Yes! For years!  Noting this error has astounded people of other religions in the world.  But, JWs believe they have the "truth", that they live and teach the "truth" ...that their preaching work is "truth"...and that the GB are guiding this organization...in truth. 
    Is this truth based on just a few core teachings?  Apparently so. 
    As Jesus said about the Pharisees,   "Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" Matt 23:24
     
     
     
     
  21. Like
    Witness reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in DRAGGING UP OLD NEWS BUT STILL SOME JWs and others, DON'T BELIEVE, LOCUSTS & SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES.. WERE WRONGLY USED BY WATCHTOWER   
    The information i have given was only available in April 2020 Study Watchtower.  I have given a link to the source. 
     
     
  22. Thanks
    Witness reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in DRAGGING UP OLD NEWS BUT STILL SOME JWs and others, DON'T BELIEVE, LOCUSTS & SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES.. WERE WRONGLY USED BY WATCHTOWER   
    Unfortunately it seems there is a young JW here that is being misguided by a man that 'thinks' he knows truth.
    Can we please set matters straight about the wrong use of scripture. 
    https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-april-2020/An-Attack-Coming-From-the-North/
    The Watchtower—Study Edition  |  April 2020 STUDY ARTICLE 14      An Attack Coming From the North!
    2 As those Bible students soon found out, however, it can be one thing to learn what the Bible teaches about a certain doctrinal subject but quite another to discern correctly the meaning of a Bible prophecy. Why is that so? For one thing, Bible prophecies are often best understood when they are undergoing fulfillment or after they have been fulfilled. But there is another factor. To understand a prophecy correctly, we generally have to consider its context. If we focus on only one aspect of the prophecy and ignore the rest, we may draw the wrong conclusion. In hindsight, it seems that this has been the case with a prophecy in the book of Joel. Let us review that prophecy and discuss why an adjustment in our present understanding is needed.
     For many years, we have applied that prophecy symbolically to the way in which Jehovah’s people, like an unstoppable swarm of locusts, engage in their preaching activity. We understood that this activity has devastating effects on the “land,” or the people who are under the control of the religious leaders.
    However, when we consider the prophecy in its context, we see that a different understanding is appropriate. Let us examine four reasons why this is so.
    5 First of all, notice Jehovah’s promise with regard to the plague of locusts: “I will drive the northerner [the locusts] far away from you.” (Joel 2:20) If the locusts represent Jehovah’s Witnesses as they obey Jesus’ command to preach and make disciples, why would Jehovah promise to drive them away? (Ezek. 33:7-9; Matt. 28:19, 20) Clearly, Jehovah is driving away, not his faithful servants, but something or someone who is hostile to his people.
    Notice that Jehovah promises to “make compensation” for the damage the locusts have caused. If the locusts picture Kingdom evangelizers, this would suggest that the message they proclaim causes damage.
    Did you notice that Jehovah says: “After that I will pour out my spirit”; that is, after the locusts have completed their assigned task? If the locusts are preachers of God’s Kingdom, why would Jehovah pour out his spirit on them after they finish their witnessing? 
    We previously connected the plague of locusts described by Joel with our preaching work because of a similar prophecy found in the book of Revelation. 
    Admittedly, there are similarities between the prophecy in Revelation and the one Joel recorded. However, there are significant differences. Consider: In Joel’s prophecy, the locusts devastate the vegetation. (Joel 1:4, 6, 7) In John’s vision, the locusts are “told not to harm the vegetation of the earth.” (Rev. 9:4) The locusts Joel saw came from the north. (Joel 2:20) Those John saw came out of an abyss. (Rev. 9:2, 3) The locusts Joel described are driven away. In Revelation, the locusts are not driven away but are allowed to finish their work. There is no indication that they deserve Jehovah’s disapproval. 
    The significant differences between the two prophecies lead us to conclude that they are not connected.
    17 What has changed? We now have a more accurate understanding of the prophecy found at Joel 2:7-9. Simply put, these verses refer, not to our zealous preaching work, but to the activity of the Babylonian army that invaded Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E.
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    The Watchtower / JW Org / GB, here admitted that what they had been teaching was FALSE.
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    Romans / Superior Authorities scripture was also falsely used by the Org between 1929 to 1962.
    Until 1929, the “superior authorities” or “higher powers” were correctly said by Watchtower to be the earthly rulers to whom Christians paid taxes and whose laws they were obligated to follow.
  23. Like
    Witness got a reaction from Kick_Faceinator in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    Do all "Trinitarians" think alike?  Do all "Anti-Trinitarians" think alike?  Obviously not.  This is one "Anti-Trinitarian" that believes John 7:53-8:11 is a true account, and the account has nothing to do with the trinity.   I so appreciated how you described the qualities of Jesus Christ, but even though we are both “Anti-Trinitarians”, I don’t believe in all that you believe. You have to accept that.  In fact, I think you tend to focus on the worldly and not on the spiritual. You apply earthly concepts to the meaning of prophecy as JWs do, which comes through the eyes of a “natural man”.  (1 Cor 2:14)
     I very much appreciated how the link I provided was laid out clearly for me, even though the writer may be a “Trinitarian”.  So, what am I to do, shun all Trinitarians even though there may be some truth to their words in other topics?  If I am to shun all Catholics, I should be shunning my brother and his family and all of his friends.  Yet, my Catholic sister-in-law has worked in the soup kitchen for many years, providing for the homeless.  I am not in charge of reading her heart, or the hearts of my family.  They accepted me for my “anti-trinitarian” + Watchtower beliefs…for years. My sons are now agnostic. Should I shun them because they fit in some category?   Their judgment is in the hands of God, as is mine.  I am not in charge of reading the hearts of all "Trinitarians"; are you?  
     I am an “Anti-Trinitarian” as you say, as are the people I have come from.  I don’t shun them for not believing in their organization, but they shun me for my actions/words against it.   Can you see how lumping people into a specific group of "trinitarian" and "anti-trinitarian", is going a little overboard?   It is just another form of bias.
    This is the time of confusion, which will eventually be cleared up for all righteous-hearted people, who will come to the knowledge of truth.  Isa 2
     
  24. Upvote
    Witness got a reaction from Kick_Faceinator in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    I really don't know why you expect people to jump at your command.  I gave you a link to a comprehensive article.  I have given my opinion on the scriptures.  You have given yours.  If that is not good enough, nothing will be good enough for you - a man who demands obedience to his rules.  Sheesh, SM, this is a forum of opinions, thoughts and feelings, and facts.  Whatever you contribute, I'm fine with it, but don't expect me to follow your lead!
     
  25. Like
    Witness got a reaction from Kick_Faceinator in The Sacred Field Ministry Stopped by a Bad Flu?   
    It appears you removed part of your comment... never mind.  I found it in another comment - 
    "There is plenty of reason to not believe it. Though Jesus forgives sin frequently in scripture, there is always some evidence of repentance on the sinning one’s part. There is some basis for forgiveness. Here there is not."
      Well, it is true that the Wt. cannot tolerate these "spurious" scriptures because they would diminish the power of disfellowshipping.  
    Jesus knew the heart of each person that he met.  He could read the heart of the woman "who led a sinful life" in Luke 7:36-50, and he forgave her.  (Matt 12:25; Luke 6:8; John 2:25)  It is impossible for your leaders to accept the passage of "mercy" in John 7-8 as @Pudgy called it, because there was no visible evidence of remorse over the woman's sins.  Elders, as you well know, cannot read a person's heart.  So they judge in error, many times destroying the lives of the person they have judged.  Jesus could never judge a person's heart in error.   Not only have JWs checked the hand of God in HIs ability to bring this passage to light,  but also is the hand of Jesus Christ.  JWs find it impossible for Jesus to forgive the woman so easily in the account. 
    "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."   Rom 13:10
    "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'”  Gal 5:14
    "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right."  James 2:8
    This "law" was set up by God of the "Old Testament".  Yet, the Wt "law" that is set up through the hands of "Jehovah's organization", does not react with love.  It reacts through the power of men over others.  It reacts through selfish desires.  
    "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."  Col 1:15  This means that even the God of the "Old Testament" would have forgiven and saved the woman from death, at the hands of the lying Pharisees. 
     
     
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