Physical attendance at meetings/assemblies and "Zoom" attendance

[Patiently waiting for Truth]

On 4/28/2021 at 10:51 AM, TrueTomHarley said:

The scriptures speak so assuredly of persecution. For example: “All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” 2 Tim 3:12.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH CHRIST JESUS, just in case you missed that. It doesn't say in association with the  Watchtower or JW Org.  But once again that scripture is for the True Anointed ones. It is the 'body of Christ' that is 'in association with' Christ Jesus. 

You do know that God intends to shorten the 'last days' of Armageddon on account of those True Anointed ones, don't you ? 

Matthew 24 : ²²  In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short."

 

 

[Pudgy]

On 4/10/2021 at 1:15 PM, JW Insider said:

Giving up the KH would be nearly impossible to imagine, and as it is, I think an entire community of two or three suburban towns would wonder what happened to us if that Hall disappeared.

Yeah .... if the drove by one day and it actually, literally had disappeared.

.... especially if there was a sinkhole under where it had been.

More likely they would exclaim in wonder as they drove by the first time ..... "Wow!, what a great new Medical Practice where that old churchy thingy used to be ! ... they have a gastroenterologist !, how about that  .... somebody made a POTLOAD of money on THAT location! .... I wonder if their doctors are allowed by my HMO?"

 

[Pudgy]

.... 4 to 8 seconds .... tops, depending on traffic.

[Space Merchant]

On 4/10/2021 at 8:46 AM, JW Insider said:

As an aside, here, I keep hearing more talk that the WTS is transitioning to no more KH at all, just assembly halls and larger conventions perhaps. It's not just us, but churches, too, have spoken about the success they have had with Zoom in terms of attendance. I fear that it would be a losing decision about the KH's if this rumor is true, but attendance numbers on Zoom have normalized and even risen for some churches.

For us, I fear that less physical gathering would result in more drifting, too much video content, less local participation and enthusiasm. Even --dare I say it?-- more marriages to unbelieving mates!

Brought this up too a while back, excluding the strict persecutions I mentioned. The situation with Churches will fall into the category of Freedom vs. Compliance, should the pressures of Authoritarianism, Inflation and a list of other things continue to increase. To be moved into that category it will effect people, even those of your faith, for I have already seen some in a broken state because of the Endemic, as how broken, Bane breaking Batman's back kind of broken, in turn, they are not the drifter types, but the COVID-19 situation takes a toll of them, as with many people. That category I would not be surprised if half the people on this forum get affected by it.

That being said, I doubt the latter will get rid of their buildings for it makes no sense to take care of it if you will later drop them, worse case sincere is if the National Guard takes them over.

At the end of the day, it does get boring for some, not being around those that they care about, especially the elderly, however, as long as the people are together, they make up the Church of the Christ.

The pros to zoom for many is the fact they can reach out to a lot of people, be it church wise or gospel spreading wise, but at the same time, even opponents, like MSC also utilize this too, some, having access to their churches.

[Patiently waiting for Truth]

13 hours ago, Space Merchant said:

however, as long as the people are together, they make up the Church of the Christ.

Are you suggesting that the whole congregation are the 'Church' ?

I would have thought the 'Temple' is the Anointed, and therefore I would think the 'Church' is the  Anointed also. Am I wrong ? 

1 Corinthians 3:16

Berean Study Bible
Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think you remarked that I use the BSB and you seemed to dislike this ? 

I do compare it with the NWT but if none are inspired then does it matter that I find the BSB easier to read ? 

Do you have a suggestion as to a better translation ? 

[Space Merchant]

32 minutes ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

Are you suggesting that the whole congregation are the 'Church' ?

The people make up the church.

32 minutes ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

I would have thought the 'Temple' is the Anointed, and therefore I would think the 'Church' is the  Anointed also. Am I wrong ? 

They make up the church as well, for they are Christians too.

33 minutes ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

1 Corinthians 3:16

Berean Study Bible
Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

In the Bible the term Temple refers correlates with people as well. The context in some verses indicates that the Christian congregation makes up God’s temple in which God’s spirit dwells, or as some would say, the Fullness of Deity dwelling in them.

47 minutes ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

I think you remarked that I use the BSB and you seemed to dislike this ? 

Not really, you were just corrected. Why would I dislike something I use 80% of the time on here other than the ESV? My response was to point you in the direction of the word soul itself regarding the BSB, for you were confused about the verse in Revelations, when the BSB tells you this, and both the BSB and NWT are no different when it comes to source, mainly due to the fact they both provide you with notes.

50 minutes ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

I do compare it with the NWT but if none are inspired then does it matter that I find the BSB easier to read ? 

You missed the point, the focus was source. Also that is in relation to the other thread, not here, regarding the BSB.

51 minutes ago, Patiently waiting for Truth said:

Do you have a suggestion as to a better translation ? 

If a translations sticks to or tries to follow the earliest sources, then there is no issue. I tell you this many times, why else would quote directly from the BSB and ESV in nearly every response I make, as is, with using such against the KJV? It should have been obvious if you paid attention to any quoted verses, mainly the pervious response I mad to Brando regarding LORD, or nearly all responses made to Witness was both BSB/ESV against her usages of KJV.

That being said, the people in Christ are the Church, and they have God dwelling in them, from the Christians of the Church to the Chosen, all who make up the living stones of the spiritual house.

[Arauna]

On 4/10/2021 at 2:46 PM, JW Insider said:

fear that less physical gathering would result in more drifting, too much video content, less local participation and enthusiasm.

Those who would have dropped out (even with physical attendance) would drop out.  ... because it shows what motivation  is in the heart. It is easier not to have to travel to meetings and many interested ones find it easier to attend online. Video's are very popular with the young ones - so adapting to the medium which suits them, is a very good idea!