Bible Speaks

"You can ban the witnesses but you can never ban what they witness" JW Russian brothers and sisters  after convention in Finland.. Very happy people. Hi from Russia..??????

The battle over Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia Last April, RussiaÂ’s Supreme Court banned JehovahÂ’s Witnesses, which came as a blow to the freedom of religion. How the European Court of Human Rights rules on the many cases against Russia, will reveal much about the future of the CourtÂ’s influence and the rule of law in the country. October 25, 2017 - James T. Richardson - Image by Tom Morris On April 20th 2017, RussiaÂ’s Supreme Court issued a ruling liquidating the administrative centre of JehovahÂ’s Witnesses in Russia, as well as all of their 395 local religious organisations. The court ruling also authorises confiscation of all property belonging to the church and directs them to cease all activities. The decision was upheld on July 17th by the appellate chamber of the Supreme Court, and on August 17th the Ministry of Justice added the church to the list of banned extremist organisations. By virtue of these official actions at the highest levels of the Russian government and its judicial system, the Witnesses have been effectively liquidated and banned throughout Russia. The 175,000 members of Witness congregations are thus subject to criminal charges for practising their faith. What this means for members of Witness communities in Russia is unclear, but there have already been a number of actions taken by authorities in various parts of the country that have targeted the peaceful efforts of Witnesses to meet and share their faith with others. Moreover, some Russian citizens, emboldened by the official rhetoric, have taken vigilant, often violent, actions against individual Witnesses. Fighting spiritual opposition The court decision was based on the Ministry of Justice claim made on March 15th 2017 that the Witnesses are an extremist organisation and should, therefore, be liquidated. This designation has been widely criticised internationally and within Russia by those supportive of individual rights such as religious freedom. The designation of the Witnesses as extremist is especially ironic given the churchÂ’s official opposition to violence. It has long expressed strong support for conscientious objector status, which thanks to WitnessesÂ’ advocacy of alternative modes of serving their countries, has become the norm among many nations. However, the Russian government seems bent on forcing the Witnesses and a few other minority religious organisations to cease activities. Few observers accept the claim that the Witnesses are an extremist organisation and in any way involved in activities that promote terrorism. This puzzling situation has led to much speculation about the real reasons for governmentÂ’s change of rhetoric. One prominent suggestion is that the Russian Orthodox Church has encouraged the actions as part of its campaign to deter groups that compete for the allegiance of Russian citizens or are otherwise critical of the dominant denomination. The second idea is that the Witnesses developed within the United States and that the harassment is part of an anti-American campaign. Finally, according to yet another theory, the campaign against the Witnesses is an attempt to distract the populace from RussiaÂ’s real economic and political problems, both at home and abroad. Whatever the reasons behind the drastic action taken and sanctioned by Russian courts, the effects of the decision place Russia in an almost unique position in the international community of modern nations when it comes to constraining religious freedoms. Russia and the European Court of Human Rights The Supreme Court decision and other governmental actions taken against the Witnesses are being contested by both public opinion the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The ECtHR is the judicial arm of the Council of Europe which was formed after the Second World War in an effort to deter violations of human and civil rights. Russia is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which is the governing document for the Council of Europe, and thus is bound by its provisions. Article 9 of the Convention guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which, according to the Witnesses, Russia regularly violates. Since 1992, when Russia was accepted as the CouncilÂ’s member, the country has lost several major cases before the ECtHR, related to suppressing minority faiths. JehovahÂ’s Witnesses have been very effective advocates of their rights and the rights of others before the ECtHR, having developed a strong winning record, including some victories in cases against Russia. Currently, the ECtHR considers 32 cases involving JehovahÂ’s Witnesses and Russia. This includes the case of the March 2nd 2016 warning, issued by the Prosecutor GeneralÂ’s office to liquidate the WitnessesÂ’ administrative centre in the country. The ECtHR is going to consider RussiaÂ’s decision to deem WitnessesÂ’ literature and actions extremist as urgent, under Rule 41 of the Convention. Ten other cases concern raids on Witness congregations, out of which four deal with home searches and literature confiscation, and the other involve prosecution for evangelising and ban on religious literature. How the ECtHR rules on the many cases against Russia, especially those concerning the church delegalisation, and how the Russian government responds to those rulings, will reveal much about the future of the CourtÂ’s influence. It will also say a lot about the rule of law and religious freedoms in Russia. James T. Richardson, JD, PhD, is emeritus foundation professor of sociology and judicial studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. His most recent publications include Regulating Religion: Case Studies from around the Globe (Kluwer, 2004), Saints under Siege: The Texas Raid on the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (with Stuart Wright, New York University Press, 2011), The Sociology of ShariÂ’a: Case Studies from around the World (with Adam Possamai and Bryan Turner, Springer, 2014), and Legal Cases Involving New Religions and Minority Faiths (with Francois Bellanger, Ashgate, 2014). He can be contacted at jtr@unr.edu http://neweasterneurope.eu/2017/10/25/battle-jehovahs-witnesses-russia/

Would like to be called "God's Friend"? This is what Abraham was called. He trusted God Jehovah and did not fear for his son's life. Could you do that? He became of Father of all Nations of   the Earth see how: (A?bra·ham) [Father of a Crowd (Multitude)]. The name given by Jehovah to Abram (meaning “Father Is High (Exalted)”) when he was 99 years old, and when God was reaffirming His promise that Abraham’s offspring would become many. (James 2:21-23) . . .Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 You behold that [his] faith worked along with his works and by [his] works [his] faith was perfected, 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he came to be called “Jehovah’s friend.” (Genesis 17:5, 6) . . .And your name will not be called A?bram anymore, and your name must become Abraham, because a father of a crowd of nations I will make you. 6 And I will make you very, very fruitful and will make you become nations, and kings will come out of you. Abraham proved to be a man of faith in Jehovah God, even as his forefathers Shem and Noah; and as a consequence, he earned the reputation “the father of all those having faith while in uncircumcision.” (Ro 4:11) Since true faith is based on accurate knowledge, Abraham may have received his understanding by personal association with Shem (their lives overlapped by 150 years). Abraham knew and used the name of Jehovah; to quote him: “Jehovah the Most High God, Producer of heaven and earth,” “Jehovah, the God of the heavens and the God of the earth.”—Ge 14:22; 24:3 jw.org

Bro. Prudencio is another proof that the Bible changes lives. ???????? He was in the Mexican military as a young man and loved to fight. He was so good at it that his commanding officers would bet on him to win. ??????? Upon learning the truth, Bro. Prudencio gave up fighting men and began to “fight the fine fight of the faith” (1Tim 6:12). Today, he and his two sons serve as elders. El Hno. Thank you ??Â

Thank you ????? ??? Song 56 "Make the Truth Your Own" Tap on Video Link mp4 ______Enjoy! Â BED70980-44B1-45CE-8BF0-6927AB62B770.MP4

Yes, not sure what happened, so young! Jehovah will remember him! Thank you for your support! Agape, ??????

“For Jehovah God is a sun and a shield; He gives favor and glory. Jehovah will not hold back anything good from those walking in integrity.”–Ps. 84:11. ??????? JEHOVAHÂ’S RULERSHIP IS BEST How do you feel about JehovahÂ’s way of ruling? ??????? As we have seen, the Bible clearly shows that Jehovah has the right to rule. It also shows why he is the best Ruler. One reason is that he rules with love. We feel close to him when we think of how he is “merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abundant in loyal love and truth.” (Exodus 34:6) God treats us with dignity and respect. He cares for us better than we can care for ourselves. The Devil says that Jehovah holds back good things from His servants, but this is a lie. God even gave his precious Son so that we could have the hope of living forever.—Read Psalm 84:11; Romans 8:32. ??????? JehovahÂ’s rulership is not harsh. Rather, those who obey him feel free and joyful. (2 Corinthians 3:17) David said of Jehovah: “In his presence are majesty and splendor; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” (1 Chronicles 16:7, 27) The psalmist Ethan wrote: “Happy are the people who know the joyful shouting. O Jehovah, they walk in the light of your face. They rejoice in your name all day long, and in your righteousness they are exalted.”—Psalm 89:15, 16. ??????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402017448?q=ps+84%3A11&p=par

Pray Incessantly! – They are "sweet" to Jehovah! – ???????? “The prayers of the holy ones” to incense in that acceptable prayers rise to Jehovah like a sweet-smelling and pleasant odor. (Rev. 5:8) ???????? Significance. The Law covenant had a shadow of better things to come (Heb 10:1), and it seems that the burning of incense under that arrangement represented the acceptable prayers of GodÂ’s faithful servants. The psalmist declared, “May my prayer be prepared as incense before you [Jehovah].” (Ps 141:2) Likewise, the highly symbolic book of Revelation describes those around GodÂ’s heavenly throne as having “golden bowls that were full of incense, and the incense means the prayers of the holy ones.” “A large quantity of incense was given him [an angel] to offer it with the prayers of all the holy ones upon the golden altar that was before the throne.” (Re 5:8; 8:3, 4) In several respects the burning incense served as a fitting symbol of the prayers of the holy ones that are “offered up” (Heb 5:7) night and day (1Th 3:10), and are pleasant to Jehovah.—Pr 15:8. ???????? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200002164#h=8:0-8:867

Romans 14:10 - “But why do you judge your brother? or why do you also look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” ??????? Ecclesiastes 7:9 - Do not be quick to take offense, for the taking of offence lodges in the bosom of fools. (NWT) Please Visit: JW.Org. - TV.JW.Org.Â

Spiritual Heritage is the Most Valuable Legacy! Grandfather Teaching Grandson to Preach in Brazil. ???? Thanks and may Jehovah bless you all! Thank you

93 year old Brother Manuel from Texas practicing and giving his first Bible reading on the Theocratic Ministry School. Thank you ???

#Jw #Jwbrasil body of our brother is found The body of the young brother John Ferreira Duke of 22, who had been missing since August 25, was found. The funeral will be Friday 27/10 at 13 pm at cemetery. Cemetery being cemetery. Of, 46-baby Island of the governor - rio de Janeiro Brazil Fone: 0800 022 1650 We have no details of the cause death or other details of the memorial speech. We know only that his body was found dead in the forest of tijuca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Our deep feelings to all the family and that our hope in the resurrection and soon a new world without pain, strengthen everyone... BODY OF OUR BROTHER IS FOUND The body of 22-year-old brother João Ferreira Duque, who had been missing since August 25, was found. The funeral will be, Friday 27/10, at 13h, in the Cacuia cemetery. We have no details of the cause of death, nor other details of the memorial speech. we only know that his body was found dead in the tijuca forest in rio de janeiro, brazil Our deep feelings to all relatives and our hope in resurrection and soon a new world without pain, strengthen all ..

Video for this week's meeting Edgardo Franco: use your talent for Jehovah  and in his native tongue Spanish: Â

Created by Jehovah God -????? 24 And God said “Let the earth bring out the various kinds of animals, cattle and reptiles and wild beasts”; and it was so. 25 And God made the various kinds of wild beasts and of cattle, and all the various kinds of ground reptiles; and God saw that it was good. 26 And God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, to bear empire over the fishes of the sea and the birds of the sky and the cattle and all the wild beasts of the earth and all the reptiles that creep on the earth.” 27* And God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them; 28 and God blessed them. And God said to them “Breed and multiply, and fill the earth and subjugate it, and bear empire over the fishes of the sea and the birds of the sky and all the animals that move about on the earth”; 29 and God said “Here I have given you every seed-bearing herb on the surface of the earth, and every tree on which there is seed-bearing tree-fruit: they shall be yours for food; 30 and to all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky and all the creatures that creep on the earth, that have animal life in them, all green herbage for food”; and it was so. 31 And God saw all that he had made, and found it very good. And evening came, and morning came: a sixth day.” Genesis 1:24-31. ????? A male kobudai (seen on the right) and smaller female (on the left) in Japan. When a female kobudai reaches a certain size and age she can undergo a remarkable transformation - turning from a female into a male! Once the change has occurred the new male competes with other males for the right to mate with females.

Good News for People of All Nations ??????? “You will be witnesses of me . . . to the most distant part of the earth.”—ACTS 1:8. To “the Ends of the Earth”  major challenge faced by those preaching the good news is the extent of the territory—“all the inhabited earth.” (Matthew 24:14) During the last century, many servants of Jehovah worked hard to reach new lands in order to spread the good news. What was the result? Breathtaking worldwide expansion. At the dawn of the 20th century, preaching was reported in only a few lands, but at present, JehovahÂ’s Witnesses are active in 235 lands! Truly, the Kingdom good news is being proclaimed even to “the ends of the earth.”—Isaiah 45:22. Nowadays, though, we may not need to go abroad to share the good news with people of all tongues. In recent years, the arrival of millions of immigrants and refugees in economically developed lands has created numerous immigrant communities speaking many tongues. For instance, in Paris, France, some 100 different languages are spoken. In Toronto, Canada, the number is 125; and in London, England, more than 300 foreign languages are spoken! This presence of people from other lands in many congregation territories opens “a large door” leading to new opportunities to share the good news with people of all nations.—1 Corinthians 16:9. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200276838 OR GO UPDATED ? ? TO JW LANGUAGES FOR IOS OR ANDROID https://www.jw.org/en/online-help/jw-language/features/ https://www.jw.org/en/online-help/jw-language/app-video/ https://www.jw.org/en/online-help/jw-language/ios/faqs/ https://www.jw.org/en/online-help/jw-language/android/faqs/

Let Nothing Hinder You From Taking Hold of Glory ????? “He that is humble in spirit will take hold of glory.”—PROV. 29:23. ????? Minturnfall by scottcramerphotography.com - Adventure Photo Source:tulipnight

Shared by @diegocardona77The Beautiful Kingdon Hall in South Beach Miami! Thank you

@Srecko Sostar Jehovah knows who belong to Him! When the worship of Him is in the building His Holy Spirit is there. When it’s sold to whomever or taken over His Holy Spirit is gone! Now, may those be Blessed when the Kingdom Halls are dedicated to His Name! Continue to worship the true God Jehovah and He will Bless His People! No matter if it’s a Kingdom Hall or in the Desert or in the Wilderness He knows where they reside! Do we not rejoice at His United worship World Wide today?

Ezekiel 38:22, 23 22 I will bring my judgment against him* with pestilence+ and bloodshed; and I will rain down a torrential downpour and hailstones+ and fire+and sulfur+ on him and on his troops and on the many peoples with him.+ 23 And I will certainly magnify myself and sanctify myself and make myself known before the eyes of many nations; and they will have to know that I am Jehovah.’ Tap on Video Link mp4 _____Enjoy! DDCBD8DB-62BA-49D5-84D9-D5C161E0DFF0.mp4

Purple Triangle. Sachsenhausen Museum, Berlin. ??? Photo shared by @amessinas. Its a flashback to remember how our brothers and sisters had to overcome persecution and stay loyal to Jehovah and He blessed them then and in how he is going to blessed them in the future. Thank you

Enjoying a visit to the Australia Bethel. How tall was Goliath? Photo shared by @perksofbeingajw ??? Thank you

“My zealous boyfriend is writing his first Chinese letter to use in service. HeÂ’s Mexican, IÂ’m Danish, we communicate in English and are preaching in Chinese. With JehovahÂ’s help his people are able to learn different languages to use in his organization!”

Members of Jehovah's Witnesses help a friend clean up their home after flood water inundated it during Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey on Sept. 2, 2017, in Houston. Harvey, which made landfall north of Corpus Christi on August 25, dumped around 50 inches of rain in and around areas of Houston and Southeast Texas. ?????

“Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, and do not curse the rich in your bedroom; for a bird may convey the sound, or a creature with wings may repeat what was said.” – Ecclesiastes 10:20. - ????? Be law abiding; even though men dominate others to their injury and human justice is lax, do not let it spoil your enjoyment of life; remember, it will turn out well with those who fear the true God; do not expect to fathom all the reasons for what God does and permits to occur (8:1-17; 10:20). https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001255?q=eccl+10%3A20&p=par