Anna

Which calls for ZODIACAL. Hey this is so fun, I might just play this one out myself.
21x3=63, plus OX (9), plus DE (3), plus ID (3) = 78 plus 50 point bonus.
                                Player 1   Player 2                                   QUETZAL 120 BANJAXED 91                                 FRESHLY 140 ZODIACAL 128                 B                                       A   F                                   N   R                                   J   E                         Q U E T Z A L S                                 O X   H                                 D E   L                                 I D   Y                                 A                                       C                                       A                                       L                                                                           A A A A A                         B   C     D D                               E E E E E E E E E                   F G G G   H                             I I I I I I I I   K         TOTALS 260   219         L M M   N N N N N                 P P     R R R R R                         S S S   T T T T T                       U U U V V W W     Y                   [ ] [ ]   O O O O O O O                                                            

I would be inclined to agree with Thinking..
Br. Jackson was in a rather precarious position. He had to be very careful and diplomatic in order not to make us appear presumptuous and haughty. As a result, there has been some confusion on the part of some Witnesses wondering what he meant, because they had always been led to believe that the GB is the only chanel God is using.
So what did Br. Jackson mean?
(that is a rhetorical question, as it's off topic here)

Emma, this article does not really address the issue I raised. This is more for people who know what they are supposed to do, but are looking for loopholes to God's arrangement for salvation. This is not the issue here.
The article states that: "We are aware that many hypothetical or “What if . . .” cases can be raised, cases that seem to involve extenuating circumstances. What point, though, is there in speculating on these? Jesus’ illustration of the “sheep” and “goats” makes it plain that a time will come when the division between the “sheep” and the “goats” will be clear and final".
But that's not the issue here either. We are not asking about Jesus judging who is a sheep and who is a goat, but whether the criterion for being one or the other is baptism (washing their robes in the blood of the lamb). In other words, we know that not everyone who is baptised will be judged as a sheep, so is it possible that someone, or should I say millions, might be judged as sheep despite not being baptised and not knowing Jesus, for the simple reason because they never got the chance?
It's not even a case of speculating about many hypothetical "what ifs", or extenuating circumstances, but it is literally a case of billions simply not getting the opportunity.
If we are going to be realistic, then we know that there are going to be billions of people who won't get a choice before Armageddon comes.

That is true of course. But it begs the question, will absolutely everyone on earth at the time of the great tribulation be at exactly the same stage in their life, all having been given the chance to wash their robes in the blood of the lamb? Think of the billions, (not millions), of people in places like India and China. Think of the slums of India for example. Not only are those people steeped in false religion, worshipping thousands of different gods, but most of them don't know what a Bible is, and maybe have not even heard of Jesus. They have no internet, no running water, and hardly any education. In order to reach those people with the good news, for them to be able to actually make that decision to wash their robes in the blood of the lamb, you can imagine is a near impossible task, and one that would require years and years. It took us over a 100 years to get to where we are now.
Then there are those whose intellectual capacity prevents them from being able to chose to wash their robes in the blood of the lamb.
Then there are those who are in the process of deciding to wash their robes in the blood of the lamb, but haven't reached that point in their Bible study to be able to make a dedication.
There will always be people at different stages in life, through no fault of their own, who were not able to wash their robes in time for the great tribulation. We always say, if Armageddon would have come (insert years) ago, we may not have been in the truth yet. But that will always be the case, logically, not everyone will be in the same state simultaneously.

Excellent topic. But can I suggest, if you want to start another discussion, for example on the above subject, then go to the top of the page, and depending on what device you are using, click on "new topic" (on the computer) or the "plus sign" (on Android phones) and start a new topic that way. If people follow you (I do) they will see it. Or, you can search relevant words, and see if there is a topic already on this subject and then add your comment to it. This will resurrect the thread again and people will respond to what you post. And, if you want to direct those who have been commenting on this topic here, you can insert the link here to the topic there. 👍

Emma, there aren't many people on this forum that actually comment or even read anything. It's just a handful. There are two sides, the ex-JWs, and the JWs like Tom, JWI, me and a few others. This is not a forum where interested ones (people who want Bible studies) hang out. The JWs who are here have their various reasons for being here.
For me, it's good training ground. I get to learn about various controversial topics that are not really discussed anywhere else except maybe on apostate sites. This is not an apostate site, but some with controversial ideas are allowed to comment here, and this makes for interesting discussions....sometimes. In any case, it helps me to sharpen my faith. That's just how I feel about it. Tom and the others have their own reasons too, and may be different from mine.
So if you are looking to find someone who has genuine questions, well, as far as I know, there are non here at the moment. But, whoever ventures here can follow the conversations and comments, and see how we, the JWs respond to them. And they can make their mind up about what makes sense. So in a way you are giving a "witness" of some sort by commenting....
 

Jehovah will have His message preached to the extent He has foretold, there may be ways that reach those that have yet to hear, that we are unaware of.  Who would have thought, as recently as last year, that we'd be carrying out that preaching work using electronic means.
It is not outside of the realms of possibility to consider Jehovah able to 'know' how a person 'would' react had they heard the good news.  That's not what I'm saying will happen, I'm simply saying all things are possible with God, and some of those things may fall within the following scripture:  Isaiah 55:9 - "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So my ways are higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts"
That is what faith and knowing Jehovah results in, absolute conviction that what He has said He will do, His way.

I think most have some sense that not everything dovetails, and they dismiss it with: “Is not the judge of the entire earth going to do what is right?’
If the circuit of Israel will not be covered before the end comes, plainly some will not be covered as thoroughly as we would like. Maybe there is a thought that God will prove a “soft touch” at the very end, observing, like he did to Jonah, that “ought I not feel sorry for these dumb animals, who don’t know their right from their left?” Maybe persons like you speak of will go down in the End crossfire and promptly rise in the resurrection.
Why doesn’t the org say this? They’re not authorized. ‘One faith, one Lord, one baptism’ is the line they must stick to. Besides, start speculating on how God will cover all bases anyway, and how can it not be a disincentive to preach, as Christians are supposed to be doing?
 

Do you think it's possible for someone who is not yet aware of the importance of God's name, to feel they have relationship with him?
I know my grandpa loved God, and talked to him as if he was a friend. But he never had the opportunity to realise the importance of using God's name.
What about those through the centuries, who may have been anointed, but may have only vaguely been aware of God's name, and in some cases not even known it.

Do you think it's possible for someone who is not yet aware of the importance of God's name, to feel they have relationship with him?
I know my grandpa loved God, and talked to him as if he was a friend. But he never had the opportunity to realise the importance of using God's name.
What about those through the centuries, who may have been anointed, but may have only vaguely been aware of God's name, and in some cases not even known it.

I would be inclined to agree with Thinking..
Br. Jackson was in a rather precarious position. He had to be very careful and diplomatic in order not to make us appear presumptuous and haughty. As a result, there has been some confusion on the part of some Witnesses wondering what he meant, because they had always been led to believe that the GB is the only chanel God is using.
So what did Br. Jackson mean?
(that is a rhetorical question, as it's off topic here)

We will just have to wait and see 😃
One thing is sure, whatever Jehovah does, we can trust will be just and loving.

I sort of like Russell’s thoughts on it...not sure if it’s wrong or not...but he explained exactly as to the point you have made...that many won’t ever here the preaching work...for what ever reason this Is ...they will not experience the second and final death at Armageddon....but just the first death...thus pay the price of sin....they will then be resurrected back IN to a new world and be given an opportunity to learn what they never did in the old world...they may or may not listen to it...then they will pay the price of the second death.
Many will definitely experience the second death at Armageddon because of their willful ignorance,,,(the false prophet and the beast) ...maybye more...??????
Rutherford changed that understanding,,,as he did with the Joel and the locust...we have reverted back to a number of teachings or understanding of Russell.....this may be one of them...hopefully 

Am I glad I carried out those on my bucket list in London mid 2018, just in time. 
 

Exodus 9:16 But for this very reason I have kept you in existence: to show you my power and to have my name declared in all the earth.
It's quite possible that the Jews were concerned about non-Jews misusing Jehovah's name and so tried to keep it under wraps.  As we can see from the scripture noted above, Jehovah is going to make His name known in all the earth.  Isaiah 64:2 As when a fire ignites the brushwood, and the fire makes the water boil, Then your name would be known to your adversaries, And the nations would tremble before you!
Clearly, Jehovah's name would be known throughout the earth.

In a previous incarnation, Cesar told me: “You keep out of my way and I’ll keep out of yours.”
That works well enough. Look—it’s the internet, not the congregation. There’s only so much one can do in coming together. You can’t even be sure that people are who they say they are.  It is enough that he settles on the side that is right, even if he does take a flamethrower to not just enemies, but even ones who would call themselves allies, though less rigid.
And as long as I’m at it, how about this one on Why Jehovah’s Witnesses do not respond to accusations:
https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/respond-to-accusations/
Don’t misunderstand. This is not a reproof to anyone. Or if it is, it is mostly to me. Probably I should mull over it more. But as Anna said, each one has his/her own specific reason for being here. It is safe to say that NO Witness here is typical, excepting only those who come, stick their toe in the water, make a comment or two, and then disappear, never to be seen again.

Psalm 83:18 "May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth"
The online King James Bible has retained the name Jehovah in this verse.  
The name Jehovah is represented by four Hebrew consonants known as the Tetragrammaton.
Jehovah means "He causes to become"

My favorite is one of those Hollywood blockbusters of decades past—I think ‘The Ten Commandments.’ 
Early on the distressed Israelites complain that they don’t even know their God’s name.
Later on they are as happy as pigs in mud. They have learned it. It is ‘The LORD.’
 

#1 would allow for #'s 3 & 6 eventually. 😉

7 & 8 ... obviously!

Thought for the day:
Jehovah is God's name.  It was originally in the Bible in over 7,000 places but has been removed by various bodies due to superstition etc.  Micah 4:5 For all the people will walk, each in the name of it's god, But we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God forever and ever.

Well it's open for business now 😉
 

You have yet to provide some kind of proof for your claim concerning riches.  If you cannot, then you fit your own bill written here.

What makes you think I'm angry with you, not at all.  All Christ's teachings are important.  Throughout scripture Jehovah has given instruction, often more appropriate at a certain point in time than another.  I suspect that the term core teachings, covers the basics and anything else may be what is learnt at a time more appropriate than another.  Milk and solid food for example.

The book is absolutely right, they do not beg for money.
Maybe some brothers and sisters might come by some kind of windfall and choose to donate, that is their choice and nothing to do with you or me.  I've been a JW for .....years, certainly long enough to know what goes on and I've never been begged for what belongs to Jehovah to begin with.  
What's your story?
Still waiting for your proof concerning riches.