Bible Speaks

@Arauna Yes are we not thankful? Yet, we see the earth ? ready to be destroyed and the wickedness beyond imagination! As Michael ousted them from Heaven it says "woe for the earth"! Soon Gods King Our Lord Christ Jesus will bring to nothing all government power and authority. Revelation 12 tells us about that war in Heaven. At least it also tells us he has a "short period of time." Thank you for your encouragement. 
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@James Thomas Rook Jr. Excellent documentary on him! He pioneered many thoughts being a mathematician but of course came short! He lived what he wrote and fought his life for it! What an example of faith! Thank you for your support! 
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A banner from the Korean brothers at the Seattle Convention. The bottom of the banner reads “Don’t Give Up” in Korean. Notice it says "Love from our Brothers in Prison." They pray for us! How touching as we pray for them! 
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A banner from the Korean brothers at the Seattle Convention. The bottom of the banner reads “Don’t Give Up” in Korean. Notice it says "Love from our Brothers in Prison." They pray for us! How touching as we pray for them! 
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Have you heard of Sir Issac Newton? Amazing information for us to see how he knew Truths in the Bible! 
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
The famous mathematician Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) also had a keen interest in the Bible. He understood that the holy ones will be raised to heavenly life and will rule invisibly with Christ. (Rev. 5:9, 10) As for the subjects of the Kingdom, he wrote: “The earth shall continue to be inhabited by mortals after the day of judgment and that not only for a 1000 years but even for ever.”
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
Newton considered Christ’s presence to be centuries away. “One reason why Newton saw the Kingdom of God so far in the future was because he was profoundly pessimistic about the deep Trinitarian apostasy he saw around him,” said historian Stephen Snobelen. The good news was still veiled. And Newton saw no Christian movement that could preach it. He wrote: “These prophecies of Daniel and John [the latter recorded in the book of Revelation] should not be understood till the time of the end.” Newton explained: “‘Then,’ saith Daniel, ‘many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’ For the Gospel must be preached in all nations before the great tribulation, and end of the world. The palm-bearing multitude, which come out of this great tribulation, cannot be innumerable out of all nations, unless they be made so by the preaching of the Gospel before it comes.”—Dan. 12:4; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 7:9, 10.
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
Why did mankind’s hope remain obscure for most people in the days of Milton and Newton?
In the days of Milton and Newton, to express ideas contrary to official doctrine of the church was dangerous. Therefore, much of their Bible scholarship remained unpublished until after their deaths. The Reformation of the 16th century failed to reform the teaching about inherent immortality, and mainstream Protestant churches continued to teach Augustine’s idea that the Millennium was past, not future. 
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
You may have read about the incident involving Sir Isaac Newton and a model of the solar system. Reportedly, a visiting atheist asked: “Who made it?” When Newton answered, “Nobody!” the atheist replied, “You must think I am a fool!” Newton is then said to have told the atheist that his puny imitation of the much grander solar system proves that there has to be a designer or maker. As appealing as this account may be, historical sources, as well as Newton scholars and biographers, cannot provide evidence that this conversation really occurred. Interestingly, the earliest references to this incident appeared in the early 1800’s using, not Newton’s name, but the name of German scholar Athanasius Kircher.
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
NEWTON, SIR ISAAC
account about model of solar system: yb11 12
belief in earthly paradise to come: w09 8/15 14
comments on—
Bible: it-1 311; ba 14; g96 2/8 9; pr 13; Lmn 5
blood: it-1 345-346; g86 9/8 25
Christ’s return: g 4/08 8; jv 46
God’s existence: g92 3/22 10; g88 6/8 6
“great crowd” (Re 7:9): jv 160
preaching “good news of the kingdom” (Mt 24:14): w09 8/15 14; jv 160
time for understanding Daniel and Revelation: w09 8/15 14; jv 160
law of gravitation: g89 10/8 16-17
pursuits: w15 6/1 6
relationship with—
scholar William Whiston: g 8/14 12; w94 3/15 26-27
scientist Robert Hooke: g 7/06 28
Trinity rejected by: jv 124
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200274091

"The great day of Jehovah is near." — Zeph. 1:14. Are You Ready?
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A storm that threatens the very existence of the human race is approaching. It is a figurative “day of storm.” This “great day of Jehovah” will affect all mankind. However, we can find the refuge we need. (Zeph. 1:15-18)
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The day of Jehovah will break out with the destruction of all false religious systems on earth. As to how to find refuge, we can look for the answer in the history of God’s ancient people. The great day of Jehovah that struck Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. was an indication of the judgment to come upon apostate Christendom in our time. Furthermore, the rest of “Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion, will be destroyed. Thereafter, the remaining parts of Satan’s wicked system of things will be annihilated. Yet, God’s people as a group will survive because they are taking refuge in Jehovah. — Rev. 7:14; 18:2, 8; 19:19-21.
 

The United States government publishes on its page his protest for the treatment of Jehovah's witnesses.
Press ReleaseSpokesperson for Heather Nauert's departmentWashington DCJuly 19, 2017
The decision of the Russian Supreme Court this week against Jehovah's witnesses is the last of a disturbing trend of persecution of religious minorities in Russia. We urge the Russian authorities to lift the ban on the activities of Jehovah's witnesses in Russia, to reverse the closure of the administrative centre of Jehovah's witnesses, already releasing members of religious minorities who continue to be unjustly detained by the so-called "activities" Extremists. "
In addition, we urge Russia to respect the right of everyone to exercise freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. All religious minorities must be able to enjoy freedom of religion and assembly without interference, as guaranteed by the constitution of the Russian Federation.
https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/07/272679.htm

I read that one of his books was published only 100 years after his death....... he would not dare publish it in his lifetime.  He must have been an avid bible student to come to the conclusions he did.

Beautiful Owl ? Swims to Safety! 
15 "All eyes look hopefully to you;You give them their food in its season."
16 You open your hand 
And satisfy the desire of every living thing."
New World Translation – Psalm 145:15, 16.
#OurCreatorJehovahGod? #UniveralSovereign? #allcreaturesgreatandsmall? #LoyalLove❤️ #GodsKingdom? 
This is unbelievable! must Watch this Video ❗️ ? via @natgeo
IMG_0646.MP4

This does remind one of "let my people go", well we know it took much more than locust to let  God's people go back then. And the Russian government sees Jehovah's Witnesses as a joke, uneducated and ordinary,  just as all other nations do.
You could say they had a "locust swarm" earlier this year when 48 million letters came to them.   Obviously that did not make them less obstinate but just the opposite JUST as it did in EGYPT !!!

Interesting. Related to the plight of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia? Who knows. But it does highlight the effects of locust and how devastating they can be. Often times when people think of a plague of locust they think of the Israelis and the ten plagues on Egypt, not really cognizant of the locust plague and how they are still around and can be quite devastating. 

‘Locust plague’: Insects invade southern Russian region (VIDEO)
Published time: 20 Jul, 2017 11:43Edited time: 20 Jul, 2017 11:44 Get short URL   © ROLEX TV / YouTube   Spine-tingling footage shows a swarm of locusts traveling across a road in the southern Russian republic of Dagestan, where swaths of land have been infested by the plague. The amateur video, filmed through the windscreen of a moving car, shows what at first seems to be a sandstorm looming on the horizon. However, as the car approaches, the dense cloud turns out to be a chaotic mass of giant bugs making their way across the road.
  The infestation of locusts prompted local authorities to declare a state of emergency in parts of the republic last month, with some 114,000 hectares of agricultural land affected.
Despite measures being taken, such as fumigation from tractors and planes, the locusts have been eating their way through the republic’s farmland since early summer, destroying crops and grazing.
  "They devour everything. They destroy green fields and there is nothing, just bare ground. There are the greens over there, which they have not yet reached,” a local resident told Ruptly video agency.
“It makes no difference for them: trees, shrubs or grass. If they devour it all, the cattle will have nowhere to graze. We would not know what to do then.”
According to the UN’s Agriculture and Food Organization, an average swarm of locusts can consume the same amount of food as 10 elephants or 2,500 people, as well as being able to travel distances of up to 130km in one day.
https://www.rt.com/news/396919-russia-dagestan-locust-swarm/ for video

A publisher from Thailand comments on the photo; Actually in Thailand it is the rainy season, in particular, in Northern Thailand it is raining a lot.
?????
This is the Karen people not far from ban mae sarisng (50 km from Myanmar). I walked for 35 miles. Through the jungle, rice fields, cross rivers, get dirty in the mud, and wet in the rain, bitten by a bunch of bugs. But this does not stop me from carrying my 11 pounds of a bag with toys, food and gifts to the people, but most importantly: God's message in his own language.
?????
In fact, the Jehovah's witness branch in Thailand is translating publications and videos into three dialects of Karen's people. Some of them may also speak of Burmese, but most of them have forgotten.
?????
They were very surprised to hear the message of God in their own language and dialect near Jehovah for the first time. They were listening carefully, sometimes smiling and you know. Being surrounded by 12-13 people on some occasion was very exciting! Inside you you feel a lot of happiness and joy even if you are so tired.
?????
And you can really see how the words of Jesus in the Matthew 24:14 is coming true I am grateful to the organization of the Lord to provide spiritual food!
?????????

In 2008, after considerable and protracted legal wrangling, the Russian Prosecutor General's office rehabilitated the Romanov family as "victims of political repressions".[17]
 "IT ALWAYS BEGAN WITH JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES AND THEN IT WAS REFLECTED ON EVERYBODY"
Video by Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 27 March 2017
 
One of the first laws of the new Russia was the law of 18 October 1991 regarding rehabilitation of victims of political repression. Those who fell within the scope of rehabilitation were those who had been subjected to exile. It was to Jehovah's Witnesses that this pertained in the main. That was the year 1991. What has changed in this time? Have Jehovah's Witnesses changed? No. What has changed in our state in this time? Otherwise how can one explain this thoughtless, to put it mildly, act on the part of the Ministry of Justice which turned into issuing this lawsuit for the liquidation and prohibition of the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses? What kind of consequences might be if this lawsuit were to be granted? According to the Criminal Code, responsibility has been established for participating in the activity that is forbidden as an extremist organization or for organizing this activity and these are such severe sanctions: for participating, from 2 to 6 years incarceration, and for organizing, from 6 to 10 years.
 
Are there really no controlling or supervisory agencies standing behind this lawsuit? Really no analysts there? No experts? Is there really nobody who can say today what this will lead to tomorrow? Well the first step has been made. The next steps—they will follow from what has already been done. If they ban today, then what does that mean should be tomorrow? There should be criminal prosecutions. Now many are commenting on current circumstances with respect to your religious association. They say: "Come now! It isn't likely that someone will go to this. What, will lock ups really start?" I say that this will simply be inevitable.
 
There has already been a pilot case. You will recall that in 2015 in Taganrog, where in 2009 a local congregation was banned, in 2012 a surveillance recording was made, establishing the fact of the conduct of a meeting, and a case was initiated, the case dragged on a long time, and in the end, in 2015, came the court's sentence. And even if there  just were fines and even if it was a suspended prison term, there were convictions. Here it was a kind of, one may say, touchstone. And what is now? It isn't Taganrog now. It is not an isolated congregation. This is now throughout Russia. What is it? Throughout Russia now will there be imprisonments? They are inevitable, if today . . . Well, today there is still time to rethink--less than two weeks remain—rethink and put a stop to it. And probably it would be more noble to take a step back, because the consequences of this, what could be, are unpredictable.
 
Many now think that Jehovah's Witnesses have fallen into the list of inconvenient people and this does not affect us; then it seems to me we should not be in delusion. And again, simply look a bit into history, into the history of persecution for religious convictions. It always began with the Jehovah's Witnesses, and then it was reflected onto everybody. It happens, probably, what can one say: "Take care of the Jehovah's Witnesses." Because this will all turn against the rest.
 
And now this is where I started—about recognizing the victims of political repressions. At that time, in 1991, these very Jehovah's Witnesses were given certificates, such beautiful booklets, that they were thus recognized as victims of political repression. And with these certificates came certain privileges. But what of today? Go back and revise the law on rehabilitation? Maybe rescind it? Or simply have the Witnesses collect all these certifications and give them back? I would very much like to believe that still common sense and justice will prevail. (tr. by PDS, posted 28 March 2017)
 
Russian transcript posted on website of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 27 March 2017
Related article: Protestant attorney speaks up for Jehovah's WitnessesMarch 21, 2017

The ban came on an extremely symbolic date. On 17 July (the date of remembrance of the murder of the tsarist family). The Romanov family was executed on JULY 17, 1918. exactly 99 years to the day that the Russian Government has banned for the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union a religion - the Jehovah's Witnesses! Interesting.
http://www.sclj.ru/news/detail.php?SECTION_ID=478&ELEMENT_ID=7649
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_of_the_Romanov_family
In 2008, after considerable and protracted legal wrangling, the Russian Prosecutor General's office rehabilitated the Romanov family as "victims of political repressions".[17]
 

Have you heard of Sir Issac Newton? Amazing information for us to see how he knew Truths in the Bible! 
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
The famous mathematician Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) also had a keen interest in the Bible. He understood that the holy ones will be raised to heavenly life and will rule invisibly with Christ. (Rev. 5:9, 10) As for the subjects of the Kingdom, he wrote: “The earth shall continue to be inhabited by mortals after the day of judgment and that not only for a 1000 years but even for ever.”
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
Newton considered Christ’s presence to be centuries away. “One reason why Newton saw the Kingdom of God so far in the future was because he was profoundly pessimistic about the deep Trinitarian apostasy he saw around him,” said historian Stephen Snobelen. The good news was still veiled. And Newton saw no Christian movement that could preach it. He wrote: “These prophecies of Daniel and John [the latter recorded in the book of Revelation] should not be understood till the time of the end.” Newton explained: “‘Then,’ saith Daniel, ‘many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’ For the Gospel must be preached in all nations before the great tribulation, and end of the world. The palm-bearing multitude, which come out of this great tribulation, cannot be innumerable out of all nations, unless they be made so by the preaching of the Gospel before it comes.”—Dan. 12:4; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 7:9, 10.
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
Why did mankind’s hope remain obscure for most people in the days of Milton and Newton?
In the days of Milton and Newton, to express ideas contrary to official doctrine of the church was dangerous. Therefore, much of their Bible scholarship remained unpublished until after their deaths. The Reformation of the 16th century failed to reform the teaching about inherent immortality, and mainstream Protestant churches continued to teach Augustine’s idea that the Millennium was past, not future. 
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
You may have read about the incident involving Sir Isaac Newton and a model of the solar system. Reportedly, a visiting atheist asked: “Who made it?” When Newton answered, “Nobody!” the atheist replied, “You must think I am a fool!” Newton is then said to have told the atheist that his puny imitation of the much grander solar system proves that there has to be a designer or maker. As appealing as this account may be, historical sources, as well as Newton scholars and biographers, cannot provide evidence that this conversation really occurred. Interestingly, the earliest references to this incident appeared in the early 1800’s using, not Newton’s name, but the name of German scholar Athanasius Kircher.
?Ⓜ️?Ⓜ️?
NEWTON, SIR ISAAC
account about model of solar system: yb11 12
belief in earthly paradise to come: w09 8/15 14
comments on—
Bible: it-1 311; ba 14; g96 2/8 9; pr 13; Lmn 5
blood: it-1 345-346; g86 9/8 25
Christ’s return: g 4/08 8; jv 46
God’s existence: g92 3/22 10; g88 6/8 6
“great crowd” (Re 7:9): jv 160
preaching “good news of the kingdom” (Mt 24:14): w09 8/15 14; jv 160
time for understanding Daniel and Revelation: w09 8/15 14; jv 160
law of gravitation: g89 10/8 16-17
pursuits: w15 6/1 6
relationship with—
scholar William Whiston: g 8/14 12; w94 3/15 26-27
scientist Robert Hooke: g 7/06 28
Trinity rejected by: jv 124
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200274091

http://www.newsweek.com/jehovahs-witnesses-russia-ban-oppression-594839

Full coverageCourt Confirms Decision to Ban Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, Here's Why Sputnik International Jul 18, 2017  Russia Supreme Court upholds ban on Jehovah's Witnesses JURIST Jul 18, 2017  Russian court confirms Jehovah's Witnesses ban Yahoo News UK Jul 18, 2017  From RussiaRussian Supreme Court Rejects Jehovah's Witnesses Appeal The Moscow Times Jul 18, 2017  More ArticlesJehovah's Witnesses ban comes into force in Russia after Supreme Court dismisses appeal The Independent Jul 18, 2017  EU Urges Russia to Ensure Jehovah's Witnesses Freedom of Assembly Amid Ban Sputnik International Jul 18, 2017  EU insists on right of Jehovah's Witnesses to be entitled to freedom of assembly Kyiv Post Jul 18, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses vow to appeal Russia ban in European court Times LIVE Jul 18, 2017  EU Criticizes Russia Over Jehovah's Witnesses Ban Voice of America Jul 18, 2017  Blow to religious freedom as Jehovah's Witnesses banned in Russia The Calvert Journal Jul 18, 2017  Russian Appeals Court Bans Jehovah's Witnesses OZY Jul 18, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses Ban Appeal Rejected by Russia's Supreme Court, Allowing Government to Seize Worship Halls Newsweek Jul 17, 2017  Russia upholds its ban on 'extremist' Jehovah's Witnesses – but the group vows to fight on International Business Times UK Jul 18, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses Vow to Fight Back After Russia Gives Group Same 'Extremist' Status as ISIS Gospel Herald Jul 18, 2017  Russia Jehovah's Witnesses banned after they lose appeal BBC News Jul 17, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses Remain Banned as Russia Rejects Appeal ChristianityToday.com Jul 17, 2017  Russia Orders Disbanding of Jehovah's Witnesses Newser Jul 18, 2017  Russia's Supreme Court stands by its nationwide ban on Jehovah's Witnesses Globalnews.ca Jul 17, 2017  Russian Supreme Court Upholds Ruling Banning Jehovah's Witnesses RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty Jul 17, 2017  Russian Supreme Court Upholds Jehovah's Witness Ban Washington Free Beacon Jul 17, 2017  Jehovah's Witness vows to appeal its ban Daily Post Nigeria Jul 18, 2017  Russian Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Jehovah's Witnesses Voice of America Jul 17, 2017  Russia Ban: Jehovah's Witnesses Take Case To European Court The Whistler Jul 18, 2017  Russia's Supreme Court Upholds Outlawing of Jehovah's Witnesses as 'Extremist Organization' Intelligencer Post Jul 18, 2017  Jehovah's Witnesses Ban Appeal Rejected by Russia's Supreme Leicester Post Jul 18, 2017  EU's diplomatic service stands up for rights of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russian Federation Normangee Star Jul 18, 2017  Supreme Court Upholds Ruling That Bans Jehovah's Witnesses In Russia | Religious Body Heads To European Court 360Nobs.com Jul 18, 2017  Rabid Christian Evangelical Group Jehovah's Witnesses Banned In Russia Swarajya Jul 18, 2017  European Union criticizes Russian Federation over Jehovah's Witnesses ban

https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/LatestVideos/pub-jwb_201707_14_VIDEO

NEWSWEEK:
RUSSIA’S JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES BAN IS FAR FROM THE ONLY OPPRESSION THE GROUP FACES AROUND THE WORLD
BY JASON LE MIERE ON 5/5/17 AT 11:01 AM       WORLDJEHOVAH'S WITNESSESRELIGIOUS FREEDOM Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia are still reeling from a decision by the country’s Supreme Courtlast month to ban all activity of the Christian denomination under an anti-extremism law. But, while that decision has garnered much attention and condemnation around the world, Russia is far from the only country guilty of oppressing the U.S.-founded religion.
Related: After ban, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia harassed by police during religious services
Jehovah's Witnesses began in Pennsylvania toward the end of the 19th century and now count 8.3 million members around the globe. The group headquartered in upstate New York is perhaps best known for going door-to-door to spread their message. as well as refusing military service and blood transfusions. Their stance on blood transfusions was cited by Russia's justice ministry as evidence that they constituted an extremist organization. However. their position has also been credited with encouraging doctors to come up with less risky alternatives to using blood.
Daily Emails and Alerts - Get the best of Newsweek delivered to your inbox
Still, their beliefs remain controversial in many parts of the world. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its annual report last month detailing various abuses committed against almost all religions all over the globe. Numerous abuses involve Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Eritrea
The plight of Jehovah’s Witnesses is particularly serious in Eritrea. The African country officially recognizes just four religious groups—the Coptic Orthodox Church of Eritrea, Sunni Islam, the Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church of Eritrea—all other groups must register. Many minority faith groups are persecuted, including Jehovah’s Witnesses. A decree from the then- and current-President Isaias Afwerki in 1994 revoked Jehovah’s Witnesses’ citizenship due to their refusal to take part in national service or participate politically. Three Jehovah’s Witnesses remain imprisoned from that time, as part of a total of 54 Jehovah’s Witnesses currently imprisoned without trial.
Tajikistan
A decade before Russia’s ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Central Asian country of Tajikistan did the same thing. With, at the time, a congregation of just 600 in the country of around 8.5 million, Tajikistan’s Culture Ministry in 2007 decreed the group’s activity “illegal” and, again largely citing their refusal to partake in military service, issued a nationwide ban.
Turkmenistan
Also deemed a “Country of Particular Concern” by USCIRF, Turkmenistan, has what Human Rights Watch has called an “atrocious” record when it comes to human rights. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been singled out for some of the worst treatment. Members of the group have been fired from their jobs and even evicted from their homes, according to human rights organization Forum 18. Jehovah’s Witnesses have also reported being imprisoned without charge and tortured.
  Kyrgyzstan
In unquestionably the most bizarre form of oppression carried out against Jehovah’s Witnesses, a mother and daughter spent 31 months under house arrest, until their release in October 2015, for alleged witchcraft. Their precise crime was said to be conjuring snakes from eggs and stealing a woman’s life savings, according to Forum 18. Jehovah’s Witnesses allege that the punishment was retribution for their failed applications to register their faith with the state.
Uzbekistan
Central Asia’s most populous country regularly disrupts Jehovah’s Witnesses meetings and, as with those of other religious groups in the country, particularly Muslims, often punishes those in attendance for possessing religious literature.
Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, where all religious groups must register with the government, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been subject to raids, arrests, fines and having religious texts confiscated. In 2015, two Jehovah’s Witnesses were jailed for almost a year for sharing the Bible’s message with their neighbors.  Jehovah’s Witnesses have also been jailed for refusing to perform military service.
Kazakhstan
Neighboring Russia, constitutionally secular Kazakhstan has repeatedly fined Jehovah’s Witnesses for sharing their faith with others, either verbally or through religious texts, and even inviting people to meetings. Just this week, a Jehovah's Witness was sentenced to five years in prison, accused of propagating ideas that "disrupt interreligious and interethnic concord."
 
  Belarus
Jehovah’s Witnesses in this former Soviet country have been threatened with liquidation for holding religious meetings without permission and distributing religious texts. Last year, a Jehovah’s Witness was fined for refusing to perform military service, even though he offered to perform civilian service.
Egypt
Despite there being an estimated 1,500 in the country, Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with the Bahá’í faith, has been banned in Egypt since 1960. Members of the religious group remain prohibited from having places of worship, even if in recent years they have been permitted to meet with fewer than 30 people in private homes, according to the USCIRF report.
 

good timing, Bible Speaks..... just wrote this down into my notebook.    thanks again for the reminder.

A publisher from Thailand comments on the photo; Actually in Thailand it is the rainy season, in particular, in Northern Thailand it is raining a lot.
?????
This is the Karen people not far from ban mae sarisng (50 km from Myanmar). I walked for 35 miles. Through the jungle, rice fields, cross rivers, get dirty in the mud, and wet in the rain, bitten by a bunch of bugs. But this does not stop me from carrying my 11 pounds of a bag with toys, food and gifts to the people, but most importantly: God's message in his own language.
?????
In fact, the Jehovah's witness branch in Thailand is translating publications and videos into three dialects of Karen's people. Some of them may also speak of Burmese, but most of them have forgotten.
?????
They were very surprised to hear the message of God in their own language and dialect near Jehovah for the first time. They were listening carefully, sometimes smiling and you know. Being surrounded by 12-13 people on some occasion was very exciting! Inside you you feel a lot of happiness and joy even if you are so tired.
?????
And you can really see how the words of Jesus in the Matthew 24:14 is coming true I am grateful to the organization of the Lord to provide spiritual food!
?????????

Coping With “a Thorn in the Flesh”
?????
How to Cope With a Thorn ???
The apostle Paul begged God to remove the thorn from his flesh. “In this behalf I three times entreated the Lord that it might depart from me.” What was Jehovah’s reply to Paul’s ardent request? “My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you; for my power is being made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:8, 9) Let us analyze this response and see how it can help us to cope with any thornlike problems that pain us.
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God encouraged Paul to appreciate the undeserved kindness that had already been extended to him through Christ. Indeed, Paul had been greatly blessed in many ways. Jehovah lovingly granted him the privilege of discipleship, though he had been a fanatic opposer of Jesus’ followers. (Acts 7:58; 8:3; 9:1-4) Jehovah thereafter kindly gave Paul many thrilling assignments and privileges. The lesson for us is clear. Even in the worst of times, we still have many blessings for which to be grateful. Never should our trials make us forget the abundant goodness of Jehovah.—Psalm 31:19.
?????
Today, Jehovah empowers faithful Christians by means of his holy spirit, his Word, and our Christian brotherhood. Like the apostle Paul, we can throw our burdens on Jehovah in prayer. (Psalm 55:22) Although God may not remove our trials, he can grant us the wisdom to cope with them, even with those that are especially hard to bear. Jehovah can also supply us with fortitude—giving us “power beyond what is normal”—to help us endure.—2 Corinthians 4:7.
?????
How do we receive such help? We must diligently study God’s Word, for therein we will find his sure consolations. (Psalm 94:19) In the Bible, we read the poignant words of God’s servants as they begged for divine help. Jehovah’s responses, which often include the use of comforting words, are food for meditation. Study will fortify us so that “the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not that out of ourselves.” Just as we need to eat physical food every day for nourishment and strength, so we must feed on God’s words regularly. Do we do this? If we do, then we will see that our receiving “power beyond what is normal” helps us to endure whatever figurative thorns may afflict us now.
?????
By enduring whatever figurative thorn is in our flesh, we can find great happiness in showing everyone that Jehovah’s power is being made perfect in our weakness. Paul wrote: “We do not give up . . . Certainly the man we are inside is being renewed from day to day. For though the tribulation is momentary and light, it works out for us a glory that is of more and more surpassing weight and is everlasting; while we keep our eyes . . . on the things unseen. For the things . . . unseen are everlasting.”—2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
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Learn more on this subject at:
jw.org
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002124?q=sharp+or+dull&p=par

 

These are pioneers in Croatia.They are truly inspiring and encouraging!They have different circumstances/problems yet they share the same goal.There will never be perfect scenario.It's not about circumstance/ability ,but it's allowing oneself to be in that circumstance and enter the pioneering marks.Jah will certainly bless us if we do/make kingdom interest as our top priority.
Pioneering Strengthens Our Relationship With God
“It is good to make melody to our God.”—PSALM 147:1.
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When we go out in the ministry, we think and talk about Jehovah. This strengthens our friendship with him. Many pioneers have felt that their love for God has become even deeper because they are able to spend more time in the ministry. This article will help both pioneers and those who want to become pioneers to think carefully about these questions: How can pioneeringstrengthen your relationship with Jehovah? If you are pioneering, what will help you to continue in this special service? If you are not pioneering yet, what can you do to start? Let us first talk about ways that pioneering can strengthen our friendship with God.
?When we talk about future Kingdom blessings, we become closer to Jehovah. 
?When we see how unhappy and helpless most people are, we become even more grateful for the truth. 
?When we teach others the truth, we learn not to worry so much about our own problems.
?When we teach Bible truths to others, our faith in these truths becomes stronger.
?When we see that Bible principles help our students improve their lives, we value God’s wisdom even more.
?We are encouraged by working with our brothers and sisters in the ministry.
?When we pioneer with our mate, our marriage becomes stronger.
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?Our trust in Jehovah increases as we put the Kingdom first, feel Jehovah’s support, and see him answer our prayers. 
SOME EXPRESSIONS EXPLAINED
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“To make melody to our God” (Psalm 147:1): To praise our God, Jehovah. We have more opportunities to do this when we pioneer
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402013687?q=pioneering&p=par