Bible Speaks

Nature by Numbers - ?????
A movie inspired on numbers, geometry and nature, by Cristóbal VilaGo to www.etereaestudios.com for more info about movie Music by Wim Mertens - "Often a bird" from the album "Jardin Clos", - © Usura - Published by Usura - Awesome! Enjoy! 
 
 

10 "For every wild animal of the forest is mine,
Even the beasts upon a thousand mountains."
(Psalms 50:10). - ???????
A Last Frontier for Endangered Species
Animals. Many of the larger mammals of Europe once roamed over vast tracts of the continent. But some have been hunted almost to extinction. Wolves, bears, lynx (5), bison, chamois, and mountain goats (6) now survive in just a few mountain ranges or in the far north. The majestic animals in these Pyrenean reserves offer a vivid reminder of the wildlife that once abounded in these mountains. Some thoughtful visitors wonder what the future holds for the few that remain.
We have reason to be confident that the Creator, Jehovah, the One “to whom the peaks of the mountains belong,” cares about the wildlife of the mountains. (Psalm 95:4) 
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In one of the Psalms, God says: “To me belongs every wild animal of the forest, the beasts upon a thousand mountains. I well know every winged creature of the mountains.” (Psalm 50:10, 11) Jehovah’s concern for the earth and its creatures gives us every reason to believe that he will never allow the beasts of the mountains to disappear.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102009087?q=ps+50%3A10&p=par

Morning public witnessing near a market. #jwpublicwitnessing #jwpreaching #jwpreachtheworld #jwactivities #jwmandarin #jwindonesia
Thank you @jw.liang.de.zun

WE ARE DUST IS THAT INSUFFICIENT? OUR CREATOR MADE US PERFECT WITH THE EARTH!
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Although some may consider dust to be a nuisance, it is a provision of the Creator that is essential to mankind’s existence and comfort. It is an important factor in the condensation of moisture in the form of rain, fog, or mist, which are vital to plant growth. Moreover, without the light-scattering property of atmospheric dust, the eyes of earth’s creatures would be exposed to the unbearable glare of the sun’s direct rays, and the familiar phenomenon of dusk and beautifully colored sunsets would cease to occur.
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The Creator used “dust from the ground” when he formed the first man (Ge 2:7; 1Co 15:47, 48), and when Adam was sentenced for disobeying God’s law, Jehovah decreed: “To dust you will return.” (Ge 3:19) God also pronounced a curse of great prophetic significance when saying to the serpent in Eden: “Upon your belly you will go and dust is what you will eat [or, bite] all the days of your life.”—Ge 3:14.
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Frailty, Mortality, and Lowliness. In view of man’s fall from perfection, dust is sometimes used figuratively for mankind’s frailty. God shows mercy to those fearing him, “remembering that we are dust.” (Ps 103:13, 14;Ge 18:27) It is also symbolic of the mortality ofhumans, for at death “back to their dust they go.” (Ps 104:29; Ec 3:19, 20; 12:1, 7) Since man returns to thedust at death, the grave is sometimes figuratively called “the dust.” (Ps 22:29; 30:9) The dust of theground can denote a lowly condition. Jehovah is “a Raiser of a lowly one from the dust.”—1Sa 2:8; Ps 113:7.
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https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001233?q=dust+of+the+ground&p=par

What I got from this experience is that when her parents died. She already knew of the hope for the dead. So it made that promise real to her. Many worry some will not learn Gods Truth, but she learned God's Word and hope they would too. We fear some may no learn, but we pray they do. I'm sure the hope was made real to her knowing God's Promise. We don't teach that those who don't learn the Truth will die. It is not in our hands, God knows people's hearts in the end. I'm sure she learned and prayed they would learn. We can't judge others that is only for Jehovah and His Son Christ to do. The Joy she felt was very great when sadness happened, we never know. Jehovah will bring back all from the graves. We never know who will return, but we learn it will be a resurrection of all that have died. Maybe some will accept the Truth in the New World ? if they don't have the opportunity to learn it if they die. 
My thoughts 
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“Keep Your Minds Fixed on the Things Above”
“Keep your minds fixed on the things above, not on the things on the earth.”—COLOSSIANS 3:2.
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Have we allowed the world’s view of money and possessions to affect us? We show what we really love by what we think about and what we do. Jesus explained this when he said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) We need to ask ourselves what is most important to us. Do we spend a lot of time worrying about money, thinking about getting a better job, or trying to have a more comfortable way of life? Or do we try to live a simple life and focus on our relationship with Jehovah? (Matthew 6:22) Jesus said that if we focus on storing up “treasures on the earth,” we may lose our relationship with Jehovah.—Matthew 6:19, 20, 24.
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We are imperfect, so it is easy for us to do things that are wrong. (Read Romans 7:21-25.) If we do not rely on God’s holy spirit, we might become involved in “wild parties and drunkenness,” immorality, or even “brazen conduct,” having no respect for God’s laws. (Romans 13:12, 13) We are constantly fighting our imperfect tendencies. We can win this fight only if we keep our minds fixed on the things above. This requires effort, which is why Paul said: “I pummel my body and lead it as a slave.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) We too need to be strict with ourselves. Let us discuss the examples of two faithful men who did their best to please God.—Hebrews 11:6.
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SOME EXPRESSIONS EXPLAINED
“Keep your minds fixed on the things above”: We do this when we put Jehovah and his Kingdom first in our lives. We are always thinking about how Jehovah feels and views matters, and we think about the future blessings he has promised us. These thoughts affect how we behave, speak, and use our life
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Charles Taze Russell (February 16, 1852 – October 31, 1916), or Pastor Russell, was a prominent early 20th century Christian restorationist minister from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and founder of what is now known as the Bible Student movement, Jehovah's Witnesses are known. 
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Learn why he said that!
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1204083

Reasons Why Jehovah’s Witnesses Do Not Celebrate Halloween -
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Long but educational -
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Some might argue that the origin of Halloween celebrations is of little consequence despite the fact that these celebrations are undeniably pagan in origin. 
But how should Christians view Halloween if they truly wish to worship and please God as best they can? Would even limited participation in the celebration meet with God's disapproval? The following will assist in determining the answers to these questions. 
Halloween's Pagan Origin "Its name means hallowed or holy evening." - The World Book Encyclopedia, 1952, Vol. 8, pp. 3245-6. 
To really understand this "holy evening" you must realize that Halloween, as we know it today, has grown from several different sources. The main source has been traced back to religious ceremonies of the ancient Babylonians. - The New Golden Bough, Sir James Frazer, edited by Dr. T. H. Gaster, p. 468, Mentor Book, 1964; and Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend, 1949, p. 38. - 
From Babylon, this pagan religious celebration spread throughout much of the world. The Druids of ancient Britain also borrowed this Babylonian festival and celebrated it to honor Samhain, Lord of the Dead, whose festival fell on November 1. - Halloween Through the Centuries, Linton, p. 4. They believed this pagan god called together "certain wicked souls on Halloween" - Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th ed., Vol. 11, p. 103. PopoutIn honoring this pagan god, his supplicators hoped to be protected from these "wicked souls." 
Therefore, many of the things done in celebrating this "holy evening" are in honor of the false gods of the Druids. For example, "When you light a candle inside the jeering pumpkin face, you are in a small way imitating the Celtic Druids" who lit "great bonfires on hilltops to honor the sun god" and thereby help keep away winter and the evil spirits. - The Book ofHolidays, McSpadden, 1958 ed., pp. 149-153; and All About American Holidays, Krythe, 1962, pp. 214-215. Since the "Mother" Church (which was established in Rome about 200 years after the death of the last Apostle) embarked on a course of adopting and adapting pagan religious ceremonies into the Church, it is not surprising that elements of ancient Roman false worship were also added to the "Holy Evening"celebration. 
For example, "when you duck for apples ... you are doing as the Romans did - - honoring Pomona, the Roman goddess of orchards." - The Book of Holidays, pp. 149-153 andCollier's Encyclopedia, 1975, Vol. 2, p. 192.
Although Halloween poses as a Christian holiday, it is exposed as a pagan feast. One dictionary describes "pagan" as: "One of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion." "Polytheistic" means "the worship of or belief in more than one god." True Christians should consider these things as serious because God views these things very seriously. (Lev. 19:2) God Himself said: "You must not have any other gods against my face. Because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion." (Ex. 20:1-5) NWT
Yet some may wonder what harm could possibly come from letting children attend a costume party or simply participate in a superficial way. Yes, it is not Scripturally wrong for children to have a costume party or play games such as bobbing for apples. However, doing so as a part of Halloween would be celebrating that pagan religious feast. This would be compromising Christian principles. The Biblecondemns the whole idea of putting a Christian mask on a pagan practice.
If pagan ceremonies, customs, god names, etc. are really mixed in with ceremonies, customs, etc. that we use today, they are not merely unacceptable - - - they are detestable to God. We must completely get away from these unclean things and not even "touch" them. (2 Cor. 6:17) Notice how exclusive the worship of God must be: "Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips." - Exodus 23:13, NIVSB. Also see: What Does the Bible Really Teach? - Take Your Stand for True Worship from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WBTS).
Halloween and Witchcraft
The real religion celebrated by the "Holy Evening" of Halloween is still a living religion. What is sometimes called "witchcraft" has had its ups and downs but is still practiced as a religion in nearly every country of the world.
"It began in the shadowy darkness of man's early religion. It lived and flourished through the ages and it is by no means wiped out even yet. Witchcraft in the Middle Ages was the `art' of controlling natural forces by power obtained from the Devil. Witches were people who made agreements with the Evil One." -Britannica Jr., 1957 ed., Vol. 15, pp. 131-132.
Whether deluded or not, these "witches" were (and are) making a public declaration: a demonstration of their faith and a defiance of the God of the Bible. They continued to practice their religion (in many different, varying sects) in spite of great persecution. This religion of the Middle Ages actually grew out of the earlier pagan Druid religion.
"These rites did not die .... When a monk or knight swore that in a clearing of the woods he had seen witches dancing around the devil, he did not lie. What he saw was ... people worshiping with a priest of the heathen religion. The prayer meetings of the witches were called witches'Sabbaths. .... Two nights especially were set aside - October 31, called Halloween and the eve of May Day, called Walpurgis." - Britannica Jr., pp. 131-132.
"Though the Church was able to destroy the temples and outward forms of worship of these heathen religions, it could not completely eradicate the faith and beliefs of their priests and worshipers. These found an outlet during the Middle Ages in witchcraft which was devoted to the worship ofSatan. This cult included periodic meetings, known as witches' sabbaths, which were given over to feasting and revelry. One of the most important sabbaths was held on Halloween." - Encyclopedia Britannica, 1956, Vol. 11, pp. 106-107.
"The witches' sabbat [sabbath], or Black Mass, was a mockery of the religious one. It began with the assembly of the witches' covens, always at night, in forests, open fields, at crossroads, and even secretly in churches.... The name `sabbats' for these meetings is believed to have come from the Old HebrewSabbath - the seventh day." - A Cauldron of Witches, Alderman, 1973, p. 9.
The Bible warns against the practice of spiritism. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) The apostle Paul wrote: “I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:20-22, New International Version) He also asked: “What common interest can there be between goodness and evil? How can light and darkness share life together? How can there be harmony between Christ and the devil? What can a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16, Phillips)
While it is true that the vast majority of those who celebrate Halloween would claim to reject Satanic practices, we should, nevertheless, be aware that historically this holiday has close connections with the occult. Therefore, celebrating Halloween can serve as a door leading to spiritism, especially for impressionable youths. Pagan rites and traditions tainted by spiritism simply have no place in Christian worship; they are far from harmless. (Also see: Dabbling in the Occult—What's the Harm? and What You Should Know About Witchcraft from the WBTS.)
Halloween - Based on Unscriptural Beliefs
Finally, Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day are all based on the beliefs that the dead suffer or that they can somehow bring harm to the living. However, the Bible clearly shows that such beliefs are not true, saying: “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for thedead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) 
For that reason, the Bible counsels: “All that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol [the common grave of mankind], the place to which you are going.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Since the dead are unconscious and thus incapable of harming others or suffering themselves, we have nothing to fear from them. 
At the same time, prayers to help them are of no use whatsoever. But this does not mean that there is no hope for our dead loved ones because the Bible assures us that “there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) (Also see: The Bible's Viewpoint - What Happens at Death? from the WBTS.)
Should You Celebrate Halloween?
Clearly, God would not approve of any ceremonies or customs that have any pagan associations. The Bible also warns us about the practice of spiritism - of which Halloween historically has close connections with. And finally, Halloween is based on beliefs that run completely contrary to what the Bible teaches. 
So when it comes to celebrating Halloween - especially after considering what you have just read - what will you decide? - 
Contributed

@biddy2331@gmail.com
Colin:
Thank you so much for your support! The progression of the Truth of God's Word was so easy to understand! Are we not grateful for the "light" that keeps getting brighter? 
Jehovah Bless!
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@Tonny Blom-Konings
Thank you for your support! This Book ? helped so many learn God's Truth! 
Jehovah Bless! 
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Bolivia, disminución de las contribuciones
Carta a todas las Congregaciones de Bolivia:
A todas las Congregaciones
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Asunto: donaciones para la mano de obra mundial
Queridos hermanos,
Con esta carta queremos señalar algo que nos concierne. Esta es la suma de las donaciones para el trabajo global donado por las asambleas bolivianas durante este año, que ha disminuido en comparación con años anteriores.
Una de las razones de este descenso es que los hermanos no planean sus donaciones de antemano, algo que necesita un cambio. En vista de esto, queremos pedirle que nos ayude a implementar un cambio:
Aproveche la oportunidad para presentar una demostración de 2 minutos en las necesidades locales de la semana del 16 de octubre de 2017, donde una pareja casada habla sobre la importancia de la planificación de las donaciones. Por no hablar de las cifras, que consideran sus ingresos del hogar, los gastos y los costos inesperados. Finalmente, deciden donar "esta cantidad" al mundo del juego.
En el mismo período de programación, se utilizan 3 minutos para explicar la naturaleza de las donaciones voluntarias:
(a) debe planificarse y planificarse según lo previsto (1 CO 16: 2 a)
(b) debe ser proporcional al ingreso (1 Corintios 16: 2 B). Aunque un cristiano gana poco, el Señor estima una pequeña donación (Lucas 21: 1-4).
(C) deben venir del corazón y ser dados gozosamente (2 COR 9: 7).

Everlasting Life on Earth—A Hope Rediscovered
“O Daniel, make secret the words . . . until the time of the end. Many will rove about, and the true knowledge will become abundant.”—DAN. 12:4.
In the late 1800’s, a number of sincere individuals were searching for an understanding of “the pattern of healthful words.” (2 Tim. 1:13) One such person was Charles Taze Russell. In 1870 he and a few other truth-seekers formed a class for Bible study. In 1872 they examined the subject of restitution. Later, Russell wrote: “Up to that time we had failed to see clearly the great distinction between the reward of the church now on trial and the reward of the faithful of the world.” The reward of the latter will be “restoration to the perfection of human nature once enjoyed in Eden by their progenitor and head, Adam.” Russell acknowledged that he had been helped in his study of the Bible by others. Who were these?
(a) How did Henry Dunn understand Acts 3:21? (b) Who did Dunn say will live forever on earth?
Henry Dunn was one of them. He had written about the “restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old time.” (Acts 3:21) Dunn knew that this restoration included the elevation of mankind to perfection on earth during the Thousand Year Reign of Christ. Dunn also examined a question that had puzzled many, Who will live forever on earth? He explained that millions will be resurrected, taught the truth, and have the opportunity to exercise faith in Christ.
What did George Storrs discern about the resurrection?
In 1870, George Storrs also came to the conclusion that the unrighteous will be resurrected to an opportunity of everlasting life. He also discerned from the Scriptures that a resurrected one who fails to respond to this opportunity “will end in death, even if the ‘sinner be a hundred years old.’” (Isa. 65:20) Storrs lived in Brooklyn, New York, and edited a magazine called the Bible Examiner.
What set the Bible Students apart from Christendom?
Russell discerned from the Bible that the time had come to make the good news widely known. So in 1879, he started publishing Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, now called The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. Previously, the truth about mankind’s hope was understood by very few people, but now groups of Bible Students in many countries were receiving and studying The Watchtower. The belief that only a few will go to heaven, whereas millions will be given perfect human life on earth, set the Bible Students apart from most of Christendom.
How did true knowledge become plentiful?
The foretold “time of the end” began in 1914. Did true knowledge about the hope of mankind become plentiful? (Dan. 12:4) By 1913, Russell’s sermons were printed in 2,000 newspapers with a combined readership of 15,000,000. By the end of 1914, over 9,000,000 people on three continents had seen the “Photo-Drama of Creation”—a program including motion pictures and slides that explained Christ’s Millennial Reign. From 1918 until 1925, the talk “Millions Now Living Will Never Die,” which explained the hope of everlasting life on earth, was presented by Jehovah’s servants in over 30 languages worldwide. By 1934, Jehovah’s Witnesses realized that those hoping to live forever on earth should be baptized. This understanding filled them with renewed zeal for preaching the good news of the Kingdom. Today, the prospect of living forever on earth fills the hearts of millions with gratitude toward Jehovah.
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2009603

Later, after speaking of Jesus as “the Chief Agent of life,” Peter said to Jews at the temple: “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the person of Jehovah.” (Ac 3:15, 19) 
Philip found it easy to strike up a conversation, since the Ethiopian official was reading aloud, as was the custom in those days. Hence, Philip was able to hear that he was reading from the scroll of Isaiah.
One simple question from Philip aroused the man’s interest: “Do you actually know what you are reading?” This led to a discussion of Isaiah 53:7, 8.
Finally, Philip “declared to him the good news about Jesus.”—Acts 8:29-35. “What prevents me from getting baptized?” he asked Philip upon sighting a convenient body of water. Of course, these were special circumstances.
Here was a man of faith who already worshipped God as a Jewish proselyte. He would probably not have another opportunity to get baptized for a long time.
More important, this man understood what God required of him, and he wanted to respond unreservedly. Philip happily consented to his request, and the Ethiopian, after being baptized, “kept going on his way rejoicing.” He doubtless became an enthusiastic preacher of the good news in his home country.—Acts 8:36-39. 

@Tonny Blom-Konings
Thank you for your support! This Book ? helped so many learn God's Truth! 
Jehovah Bless! 
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Good News! ?????
This woman says she loves to read the Bible, and has read Romans until chapter 9, then I tell her to continue, find a good verse in Romans 15:4, and this woman read it with a loud voice. ??
#jwpublicwitnessing #jwpreaching #jwpreachtheworld #jwactivities #jwmandarin #jwindonesia

Let me explain my picture, @Queen Esther and @Eaton
It is easy to quote scripture, "I am Jehovah and there is no one else"; but it is difficult to believe as a JW.  Why?  We cannot serve two masters.  Matt 6:24
The organization/jw .org IS another entity JWs hold in high esteem.  God is continually connected to the organization.
"Jehovah AND his organization"
"Jehovah WITH his organization"
"Jehovah's organization" is a refuge, a safe haven, a "spiritual paradise", and salvation!
Can anything take the place of God and Christ?
He is specifically saying above, THERE IS NO ONE ELSE.  He is our only rock; yet the picture I placed above shows a rock of high value with a logo that is touted as truth...and holding great power.  Does it replace our only God in the hearts and minds of JWs?  Does it replace Christ?
"Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved.
3 How long will you attack a man?
You shall be slain, all of you,
Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.
4 They only consult to cast him down from his high position;
They delight in lies;
They bless with their mouth,
But they curse inwardly. Selah
5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9 Surely men of low degree are a vapor,
Men of high degree are a lie;
If they are weighed on the scales,
They are altogether lighter than vapor.
10 Do not trust in oppression,
Nor vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase,
Do not set your heart on them.
11 God has spoken once,
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God.
12 Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy;
For You render to each one according to his work." Ps 62

 
 

1968-Truth-That-Leads-to-Eternal-Life.pdf
1981 - The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life - revised - scanned.pdf

Yes, I studied it, right after I studied Lost and regaining Paradise, the orange one. When I read that I realized at once it was the truth about everything......
 

Yes. We had it made!! This book went like hotcakes. It's the expression we heard a lot, and it was true. It was the pioneer's bread and butter somedays. Also, in those days, there was no request to put the "profit" back in the contribution box, because the buyers of the book were not contributing to the Kingdom work, they were actually contributing to our ability to continue pioneering.

Over the years, I bought several hundred of these at only a nickel apiece. Placed them for 25 cents apiece. Every two placed was another gallon of gas for pioneering. Only have about 2 left.
I was baptized the year before it was released.
Since this came out in 1968 it pushed the 1975 date in a couple of places, as a time when the world would reach a peak of crises and catastrophes.  The book was updated in 1981 to get rid of the 1975 date.
This was an excellent style for studying. We didn't spend too long on any subject, and there were a lot of scriptures packed into the material that were just cited and not quoted. So a study could go long or short and still cover the material depending on the preference of the person we were studying with. Millions became Witnesses based on this book, especially former Catholics. But I think it had about equal appeal to people of many backgrounds.

Back when they used to charge the Publishers for books, I remember it was 20 cents at the book counter.

yes I came into the truth by studying this wonderful book.
Colin

Morning public witnessing near a market. #jwpublicwitnessing #jwpreaching #jwpreachtheworld #jwactivities #jwmandarin #jwindonesia
Thank you @jw.liang.de.zun

Anybody Study This Book? ?
I was Baptized the year it was released?
What was your experience? 
The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life
107,300,000 COPIES
[120 languages]

Anybody Study This Book? ?
I was Baptized the year it was released?
What was your experience? 
The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life
107,300,000 COPIES
[120 languages]