Bible Speaks

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p050zhpv This BBC thought for the day is about the banning of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia by Rev. Fraser. And mentions this incident on this day in Germany!

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He will not fear bad news.+נ [Nun]His heart is steadfast, trusting in Jehovah.+ס [Samekh] 8  His heart is unshakable;* he is not afraid;+ע [Ayin]In the end he will look in triumph on his adversaries.+ PSALM 112:7,8

Dispute between two priests leads to physical violence
TVER COURTS ACQUIT SCHISMATIC WHO STABBED ORTHODOX PRIEST WITH SCISSORS
Interfax-Religiia, 21 April 2017
 
Two courts in sequence in Tver province acquitted a "metropolitan" of the schismatic religious organization "Apostolic Orthodox Church," Oleg Zimaiev, who in September 2016 attacked with scissors the priest Oleg Filippov in his church and wounded his head and arm in the presence of two witnesses.
 
"Armed with scissors in his possession and using them as a weapon, he inflicted with them on O.P. Filippov no fewer than two blows in the area of the head, causing a wound in his right parietal region and a bruise on the second finger of the left hand," the court materials say, which Interfax has at its disposal.
 
As the injured priest stated in court, the conflict between him and O. Zimaev has a long history, stemming from the religious conflicts of the unrecognized Apostolic Church and the Moscow patriarchate. The conflict reached an acute stage after an argument in the cemetery near the church, where the burial of one of the leaders of the unrecognized Apostolic Church occurred.
 
A few days after the argument at the funeral, O. Zimaev entered the church of the village of Martynovo, Krasnokholmsk district, Tver province, where Father Oleg was rector, and he committed his attack.
 
O. Zimaev, who is a "metropolitan" of the schismatic organization that is not recognized by a single one of the local Orthodox churches, said that he wanted only to cut the hair of the Orthodox priest, and at the time he accidentally wounded him with the scissors.
 
This explanation satisfied both courts, which ruled to consider that the wounds caused by the "careless" actions were without intent to inflict wounds, for which no accountability is provided by law.
 
Also the courts refused to consider that the motive of A. Zimaev's actions was religious hostility, referring to the fact that the motive behind his actions was discontent on the basis of the conflict in the cemetery.
 
Thereby the courts supported the line of O. Zimaev's defence, which insisted that he cannot experience hostility against a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, since he thinks that the Moscow patriarchate and the Apostolic Church are a single whole.
 
"As evidence of this knowingly false thesis, O. Zimaev presented to the court forged documents of his affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church, and came to the session in metropolitan's vestments used in the Moscow patriarchate," the Tver metropolitinate told the news agency.
 
At the present moment, O. Zimaev, who committed the attack, is completely acquitted; the injured party plans to appeal the court's ruling at a higher judicial instance. (tr. by PDS, posted 23 April 2017)
 
AND THESE RUSSIAN COURTS AND APOSTATES SAY JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES ARE "EXTREMIST"!!!

What exactly would be this issue cited here. That there are over 170,000 thousand brothers having to suffer due to Satan’s encroachment of God’s faithful servants? Why would modern times be any different with that of the old testament era or for that matter the new testament era.

The word “SOON” is a word synonymous with the word “HOPE”. And in order to have hope you need another word “FAITH”. Apparently, the memo has alluded some here, when God’s cleans his house of impurities, it starts with his utmost “loyal” ones. That’s the beauty of 1 Peter 1:7 when citing the living GOD.

The mere “fact” that apostasy has driven some to become inpatient won’t speed up God’s plan for the ages. Human emotions won’t change God’s plan.


Putin’s world view is to return Russia back to its former glory under the Soviet Union, and reclaim all land lost. To accomplish that, it cannot have civil minded peaceful people to be honest when reporting the conditions inside Russia. Remember the “AWAKE” is a world view magazine. It has in the past conflicted with journalistic endeavors as many honest journalist has been killed in Russia for speaking out about conditions in Russia. But to kill a law-abiding citizen from a well-known religious group, it would be viewed by the world as barbaric and inhuman. Even the simplest things like opinionating on the outcome of this case by Witnesses of a Supreme Court Judge that is a former Jehovah’s Witness “hater” would be the very reason the Russian Government would label the Watchtower as extremist. They can’t have that type of negative publicity. So, the only solution is, if they can’t kill them, kick them out.

So, the mere fact that none of our brothers have come into harm’s way, is a very “good” indication that GOD is looking out for these faithful brothers. And the Watchtower as the first century Christian that fled the Roman Sword under Roman rule for being Christian will find a way to cope with the conditions they find themselves in. So, for those of you that enjoy the freedom of “criticizing” the Watchtower and their fellow brethren? Remember this, NOTHING is forever in Satan’s World.

That’s why, we all must be thankful every day for everything that GOD has given us. Remember only GOD can give us what we faithfully await for, be it in life or death. People seem to forget that the dead will be judged also, so what we do in life will count in death. But only GOD can give us what government can’t, even in a free society:


 
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” 1776

After all, how many times has the highlighted above been exercised.

 

Tom, it is interesting you should say that, in our Public Talk yesterday, the speaker brought out that there are several organisations in Australia, and in deed, many more, throughout the world, that are in opposition to organised religion as a whole............several scriptures were used from Revelation.
My thoughts were that maybe...........just maybe.........these organisations, in hand with communistic countries, (who thought religion was the "opium" of the people, with Russia and China on the UN Security Council and other countries who sit on it for a two year term), could eventually influence the UN to act against "Babylon the Great."..........but, however it plays out, we know that it is Jehovah's will that WILL take place 

Dvorkin, is a Dork! A ?? in the "vegetable path"! He doesn't know the Creator and Sovereign Lord Jehovah yet? Who was the other Dork in the "patch?" Ya yes, Satan the Devil. ?? there are from the same family! But "all" the "Dorks" get crushed! Bible prophecy coming true! Wow! ?‍???????

WHAT IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING IS THE HISTORY OF HOW THIS ALL HAPPENED  AND HOW APOSTATES AND ANTI-CULTIST WERE COMPLETELY INVOLVED AND ARE NOW RUNNING THE "MINISTRY OF JUSTICE" IN RUSSIA. PLEASE SEE MY POST AND RESEARCH HERE  HOW DID THIS ALL BEGIN : 1997 ANTI-CULT GROUP IN RUSSIA TARGETS: JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES . APPARENTLY THERE ARE ANTI-CULT APOSTATES EVERYWHERE WHO ARE CRITICAL OF JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION AND ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN DVORKIN WITH EVIL ENDS.
" The Committee for Rescuing Youth from False Religions was created by persons who had suffered one way or another from totalitarian sects. In comprises both relatives of young people who have fallen under the influence of destructive cults and sectarians themselves. Former sectarians, of course."
"In 1998, an anti-cult group called the Committee to Save Our Youth pushed for action against the Jehovah's Witnesses. IN RUSSIA.
"Alexander Dvorkin heads the new commission on religion
On 3 April, Alexander Dvorkin, the Russian priest most famous for the defamation of religious groups not belonging to the Moscow Patriarchate of the Orthodox faith, was elected Chairman of the Justice Department’s “Commission for the Implementation of State Expertise on Religious Science is a self-avowed specialist on the cults."

Increasingly, the Russians, and many others, adopt the modern-day definition of a cult: "people we don't like."
Many times in the repressive days in both Germany and the United States our brothers blitzed areas with preaching campaigns both thorough and quick. Suppose that our Russian brothers were suddenly to intensify their service to God? Either separately or on cue. There are 175,000 of them, after all, and for the time being, they have the sympathy of the world behind them. (how often does that happen?)
It is not for us to say what they will do. It is their neck on the line, not ours. But they have been dealing with police harassment for some time, they did not expect to win this trial, and they know such harassment will intensify. 'Might as well supply a reason for it to intensify,' perhaps they will reason.
Many of our people in Russia, perhaps all of them, will be reflecting on Peter's words to the religious leaders of his day: 
"Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves. But as for us, we cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard.”  (Acts 4:19)
It's not that they would not. It is that they could not.

Dvorkin, is a Dork! A ?? in the "vegetable path"! He doesn't know the Creator and Sovereign Lord Jehovah yet? Who was the other Dork in the "patch?" Ya yes, Satan the Devil. ?? there are from the same family! But "all" the "Dorks" get crushed! Bible prophecy coming true! Wow! ?‍???????

My Friends and Brothers, she's already burning! Just be amazed we are down to the last minutes! Jehovah's got the power, it will never fail. Let Satan and his hordes try to stop it? No, it's been 1,000's of years he's done. Are we not glad to have a King ? Christ Jesus already mounted on his horse? Keep the Faith, it will never fail! Thank you Jehovah you have done well!
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New Video Added Please Watch!
https://youtu.be/b8kAiNwHqCY
 


Includes more from jw.org and Russian Jehovah's Witnesses living there. 

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Wave of violence against Jehovah's Witnesses
INTERVIEW: WITH YAROSLAV SIVULSKY, MEMBER OF GOVERNING BODY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IN RUSSIA
Portal-Credo.Ru, 21 April 2017
 
--Portal-Credo.Ru: What are the very first practical consequences of the decision of the Supreme Court of the RF regarding your liquidation?
 
--Yaroslav Sivulsky: One can say with certainty that we will not be able to conduct our big events—district and regional congresses, which we conduct three times a year, because our activity will not only be suspended but it is prohibited according to the court. In essence, this part of the decision is taking effect immediately. And if our houses of worship are confiscated, then regular meetings of congregations, which are conducted weekly, also will be impossible. Most likely, only one option remains—that is to meet in private homes of fellow believers. But this is a serious restriction of freedom.
 
--Have any excesses arisen in the wake of yesterday's decision and the "informational campaign" to arouse hostility toward Jehovah's Witnesses in the news media that accompanies it?
 
--Today we learned that our Hall of Congresses in St. Petersburg was stoned, glass was broken, and serious physical damage was caused. From the regions we are receiving reports that some of our houses of worship have already been sealed. For example, in Crimea just yesterday police came to the house of worship, interrupted a meeting, and sealed the building. But these are only the starters; all this will come to fruition and around the country a wave of violence against Jehovah's Witnesses is rising.
 
--How is the Administrative Center now functioning?
 
--In essence, it ceased its usual activity: bank accounts are frozen, and work is not being conducted any longer in the offices. We are following the court's decision and we cannot do anything else for now.
 
--Will you continue evangelistic work in Russia, and if so, in what forms?
 
--We call this activity witnessing. Our fellow believers witness about what is written in the Bible, and it seems to me now this should be the personal decision of each of our fellow believers in the country, how they will act in the future. They should take account of certain consequences that participation in religious activity may entail, but practice will show that no decision of courts will be able to restrain a Christian from performing the task which Jesus Christ or God commanded of acquainting other people with God's standards, with his intentions, and with his personality. Most likely, this activity will continue. Perhaps in a somewhat less explicit form.
 
--The status of the Jehovah's Witnesses was equated in the Russian federation to the Islamic State . . .
 
--Actually, the boundary between real and virtual extremism has been washed away. Many times such statements of our defenders have been voiced in the Supreme Court: Jehovah's Witnesses are accused of virtual or literal extremism. It is clear that Jehovah's Witnesses are not any kind of extremists; they are very far from this. On the contrary, they proclaim respect for people and love. Jesus said: "By this they will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another," and not hatred. Jehovah's Witnesses treat people of other faiths and other nations with respect. If you come to an international congress of the Jehovah's Witnesses, you will see the greatest diversity of skin color and the greatest diversity of nationalities—and they all hug each other and get along amicably.
 
--Is it true that on the eve of this court decision you made some attempts to rearrange the property belonging to Jehovah's Witnesses organizations in order to save it from confiscation?
 
--Some small attempts were made. But it seems that this was blocked. However before the court's decision takes effect there is still a lot of time, but all operations with our immovable property are suspended so that we have no chances for rewriting or rearranging anything.
 
--That means that for you there is already nowhere to return to your workplace?
 
--Essentially, yes. 

A true 'headline'  -  Jehovah has drawn us all 
The sign of true love to him❤️  ( John 6 : 44 )
But its no guarantee bec. it can change,  sorry....

My Friends and Brothers, she's already burning! Just be amazed we are down to the last minutes! Jehovah's got the power, it will never fail. Let Satan and his hordes try to stop it? No, it's been 1,000's of years he's done. Are we not glad to have a King ? Christ Jesus already mounted on his horse? Keep the Faith, it will never fail! Thank you Jehovah you have done well!
???⚔️???

4 "One thing I have asked from   Jehovah—It is what I will look for—That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To gaze upon the pleasantness of Jehovah, And to look with  appreciation upon his temple." (Psalms 27:4) 
In David’s day, “the house of Jehovah” was the tabernacle. It was David himself who made arrangements for the elaborate temple structure that was to be built by his son Solomon.
Centuries later, Jesus revealed that rendering acceptable worship to Jehovah would no longer be contingent on having one grand structure that was blessed by God. 
To remain courageous, we need ongoing instruction in God’s way. This is evident from David’s plea: “Instruct me, O Jehovah, in your way, and lead me in the path of uprightness on account of my foes.” (Ps. 27:11) 
By allowing Jehovah to instruct us and lead us in the path of uprightness, we will have no cause for fear.
David next underscores the necessity of faith and hope by saying: “If I had not had faith in seeing the goodness of Jehovah in the land of those alive—!” (Ps. 27:13) 
Indeed, where would we be without our God-given hope and our appreciation for the things discussed in Psalm 27! 
May we, then, continue to pray confidently for strength and deliverance as we face the events leading up to Armageddon.
David drew strength from his memories of Jehovah’s acts of deliverance.
Read Psalm 27:14.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2012524?q=ps+27%3A4&p=par
 

“Take Courage! I Have Conquered the World”
“I still have many things to say to you,” Jesus continues, “but you are not able to bear them now.” When he pours out the holy spirit, it will guide them to an understanding of “all the truth,” and they will be able to live by that truth.—John 16:12, 13.
Then Jesus explains: “It is for your benefit that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7) Only by Jesus’ dying and going to heaven can his disciples receive the holy spirit, which he can send as a helper to his people anywhere on earth.
The holy spirit “will give the world convincing evidence concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment.” (John 16:8) 
Yes, the world’s failure to exercise faith in God’s Son will be exposed. Jesus’ ascension to heaven will provide convincing evidence of his righteousness and will demonstrate why Satan, “the ruler of this world,” merits adverse judgment.—John 16:11.
Jesus’ encouraging words to the apostles may have emboldened them to affirm: “By this we believe that you came from God.” That conviction will soon be tested. 
In fact, Jesus describes what is just ahead: “Look! The hour is coming, indeed, it has come, when each one of you will be scattered to his own house and you will leave me alone.” Yet he assures them: “I have said these things to you so that by means of me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:30-33) 
No, Jesus is not abandoning them. He is sure that they too can be world conquerors, just as he is, by their faithfully accomplishing God’s will despite the attempts of Satan and his world to break their integrity.
"And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 28:20b).
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102014721?q=john16%3A13&p=par
 

"Not one word out of all the good promises that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed. They have all come true for you. Not one word of them has failed.".    (Joshua 23:14)
Draw Close to God A Fulfiller of Promises
IS IT hard for you to trust others? Sadly, we live in a world where trust is routinely destroyed. If you were hurt by someone you believed in—perhaps because of lies or broken promises—your trust may have been shattered. There is, however, someone you can trust without ever being disappointed. “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart,” Proverbs 3:5 urges us. Why is Jehovah deserving of such trust? To answer that, let us examine the words of Joshua—a man who put his complete trust in Jehovah—recorded at Joshua 23:14.
Looking back on all that he has seen, Joshua has come to know that Jehovah fulfills His promises—always.* The implication is clear: Joshua wants his fellow Israelites to have absolute faith that all of Jehovah’s promises for their future will also come true.
The Bible contains a record of God’s promises that have been fulfilled, including some that are being fulfilled before our very eyes. It also contains Jehovah’s wonderful promises for our future.
Why not examine that record for yourself? A study of the Bible may convince you that the Fulfiller of promises is worthy of your trust.
Here are a few of the promises, or assurances, that Joshua saw fulfilled. Jehovah would give Israel a land of their own. (Compare Genesis 12:7 with Joshua 11:23.) Jehovah would deliver Israel out of Egypt. (Compare Exodus 3:8 with Exodus 12:29-32.) Jehovah would sustain his people.—Compare Exodus 16:4, 13-15 with Deuteronomy 8:3, 4.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2010008?q=josh+23%3A14&p=par

21 "The creation itself will also be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:21) 
‘Setting Your Mind on the Spirit Means Life and Peace’
“Those who live according to the spirit, [set their minds] on the things of the spirit.”—ROM. 8:5.
Let us reflect on the assurance that “setting the mind on the spirit means ; peace.” Many people struggle to find peace of mind. While they desperately search for inner peace, we already enjoy it. 
One aspect of having such peace is that we strive to be at peace with those in our family and those in the congregation. We have the good sense to realize that both we and our brothers and sisters are imperfect. Because of this, problems may occasionally arise, and if that happens, we have been taught to follow Jesus’ advice: “Make your peace with your brother.” (Matt. 5:24)
This is made easier when we recall that the other brother or sister is also serving “the God who gives peace.”—Rom. 15:33; 16:20.
Depending on what we set our mind on, what special peace can we enjoy?
And there is another peace that is of incalculable value. By our “setting the mind on the spirit,” we enjoy peace with our Maker. Isaiah recorded words that applied in his day but have an even greater fulfillment now: “You [Jehovah] will safeguard those who fully lean on you; you will give them continuous peace, because it is in you that they trust.”—Isa. 26:3; read Romans 5:1.
How grateful we can be for the encouragement not to let “the flesh” become the principal thing in our life! 
Instead, we see the wisdom of living in line with the inspired assurance: “Setting the mind on the spirit means life and peace.” The reward of doing so will be everlasting, for Paul wrote: “The wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Rom. 6:23.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2016925?q=rom+8%3A21&p=par

Each person whom Jehovah draws becomes part of a worldwide congregation of genuine Friends who love what is right. Our loving God helps such Ones to gain his approval, 
 
"No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him." (John 6:44)
"Does Jehovah Really Care About You?“
Feelings of worthlessness are probably the biggest roadblock that I am trying to overcome.” So said one woman who found it hard to believe that Jehovah could ever find a reason to care about her. Can you identify with her feelings? If so, you may wonder, ‘Does Jehovah really care about his worshippers as individuals?’ The answer is yes! We find proof of Jehovah’s personal care in the words of Jesus.
What does it mean that Jehovah draws us? The Greek verb rendered “draws” is also used in reference to hauling in a net of fishes. (John 21:6, 11) 
Does Jehovah drag us against our will, forcing us to serve him? No. Jehovah gave us free will, so he does not force our heart open. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20) 
One scholar puts it this way: “There is no handle on the outside of the door of the human heart. It must be opened from within.” Jehovah searches through the billions of hearts in this world, looking for individuals who are inclined toward him. (1 Chronicles 28:9) 
When he finds such a person, he responds         in a touching way. How so?
Jehovah gently attracts, or tugs at, the heart of an individual who is “rightly disposed.” (Acts 13:48) 
Jehovah does so in two ways—through the Bible’s message of good news, which reaches us as individuals, and through his holy spirit. When Jehovah sees a heart that is responsive to Bible truth, he uses his spirit to help the individual to grasp and apply that truth in his life. (1 Corinthians 2:11, 12) 
Without divine help, we could never become genuine followers of Jesus and devoted worshippers of Jehovah. Does knowing that Jehovah cares about his worshippers as individuals move you to want to open the door of your heart?
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013329?q=john+6%3A44&p=par#h=11
 

SERVE JEHOVAH WITH A           "COMPLETE HEART"
9  “And you, Solʹo·mon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a complete heart and with a delightful soul, for Jehovah searches through all hearts, and he discerns every inclination of the thoughts. If you search for him, he will let himself be found by you, but if you leave him, he will reject you forever." (1 Chron. 28:9)
Serve Jehovah With a "Complete Heart!"
“O Jehovah, remember, please, how I have walked before you faithfully and with a "complete heart.”—2 KINGS 20:3.
To help us, we can compare the life of King Asa with that of King Amaziah. Both kings did good things, but they also made mistakes because they were imperfect. Yet the Bible says that “Asa’s heart was complete all his life.” (2 Chronicles 15:16, 17; 25:1, 2; Proverbs 17:3) 
He always tried to please Jehovah and was “completely devoted” to him. (1 Chronicles 28:9, footnote) Amaziah, though, did not serve Jehovah with “a complete heart.” After he defeated God’s enemies, he brought their idols back and began worshipping them.—2 Chronicles 25:11-16.
A person who serves God with “a complete heart” deeply loves Jehovah and wants to worship him forever. 
In the Bible, the word “heart” usually refers to who we are on the inside. It includes the way we think, what we love, what we would like to do with our life, and why we do the things we do. 
Even though we are imperfect, we can worship Jehovah with a "complete heart." We serve him because we truly want to, not because we have to or because it is just a habit.—2 Chronicles 19:9.
Jehovah will be pleased with us when he sees that we are serving him with a "complete heart."
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402017325?q=1+chron+28%3A9&p=par

PSALMS  94: 20  Can a throne* of corruption be allied with you While it is framing trouble in the name of the law?*+21  They make vicious attacks on the righteous one*+And condemn the innocent one to death.*+22  But Jehovah will become a secure refuge* for me ,My God is my rock of refuge.+23  He will make their wicked deeds come back upon them.+He will do away with* them by means of their own evil. Jehovah our God will do away with* them.+

"For then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21)
What happens after the great tribulation is cut short? Jesus explained that several events will happen before Armageddon begins. These events are mentioned at Ezekiel 38:14-16 andMatthew 24:29-31. 
Then we will see Armageddon. The battle of Armageddon is the climax of the great tribulation, just as the destruction of Jerusalem was the climax of the first fulfillment of the prophecy. (Malachi 4:1) 
The great tribulation, with Armageddon as its climax, will be an event such as has not happened “since the world’s beginning.” (Matthew 24:21) After it happens, Christ will rule as King for 1,000 years.
    SOME EXPRESSIONS EXPLAINED
Great tribulation: The end of this wicked world. First, false religion will be destroyed. Then, there will be a time when Jesus will judge the sheep and the goats and appoint his faithful slave over all the Master’s belongings. Finally, the rest of this system will be destroyed at Armageddon “Coming”: In Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Jesus is described as “coming,” or “arriving.” This refers to the time when he comes as Judge of all the nations during the great tribulation http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402013530?q=matt+24%3A21&p=par

New Video Added Please Watch!
https://youtu.be/b8kAiNwHqCY
 


Includes more from jw.org and Russian Jehovah's Witnesses living there.