Paul's Letter to the Galatians and the Struggle for Doctrinal Purity

[Srecko Sostar]

Quote from Proclaimers book:

The Bible Students were not completely sure what would happen. They were convinced that it would not result in a burning up of the earth and a blotting out of human life. Rather, they knew it would mark a significant point in regard to divine rulership. At first, they thought that by that date the Kingdom of God would have obtained full, universal control. When that did not occur, their confidence in the Bible prophecies that marked the date did not waver. They concluded that, instead, the date had marked only a starting point as to Kingdom rule.

Similarly, they also first thought that global troubles culminating in anarchy (which they understood would be associated with the war of “the great day of God the Almighty”) would precede that date. (Rev. 16:14) But then, ten years before 1914, the Watch Tower suggested that worldwide turmoil that would result in the annihilating of human institutions would come right after the end of the Gentile Times. They expected the year 1914 to mark a significant turning point for Jerusalem, since the prophecy had said that ‘Jerusalem would be trodden down’ until the Gentile Times were fulfilled. When they saw 1914 drawing close and yet they had not died as humans and been ‘caught up in the clouds’ to meet the Lord—in harmony with earlier expectations—they earnestly hoped that their change might take place at the end of the Gentile Times.—1 Thess. 4:17.

As the years passed and they examined and reexamined the Scriptures, their faith in the prophecies remained strong, and they did not hold back from stating what they expected to occur. With varying degrees of success, they endeavored to avoid being dogmatic about details not directly stated in the Scriptures.

Did the “Alarm Clock” Go Off Too Soon?

Great turmoil certainly burst forth upon the world in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I, which for many years was called simply the  Great War, but it did not immediately lead to an overthrow of all existing human rulerships. As events in connection with Palestine developed following 1914, the Bible Students thought they saw evidence of significant changes for Israel. But months and then years passed, and the Bible Students did not receive their heavenly reward as they had anticipated. How did they react to that?

The Watch Tower of February 1, 1916, specifically drew attention to October 1, 1914, and then said: “This was the last point of time that Bible chronology pointed out to us as relating to the Church’s experiences. Did the Lord tell us that we would be taken [to heaven] there? No. What did He say? His Word and the fulfil[l]ments of prophecy seemed to point unmistakably that this date marked the end of the Gentile Times. We inferred from this that the Church’s ‘change’ would take place on or before that date. But God did not tell us that it would be so. He permitted us to draw that inference; and we believe that it has proven to be a necessary test upon God’s dear saints everywhere.” But did these developments prove that their glorious hope had been in vain? No. It simply meant that not everything was taking place as soon as they had expected.

Several years before 1914, Russell had written: “Chronology (time prophecies in general) was evidently not intended to give God’s people accurate chronological information all the way down the path of the centuries. Evidently it is intended more to serve as an alarm clock to awaken and energize the Lord’s people at the proper time. . . .

https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Proclaimers-of-Gods-Kingdom/Gaining-Accurate-Knowledge-of-Gods-Word-and-Applying-It/Growing-in-Accurate-Knowledge-of-the-Truth/

 

The same principle used by Russell was continued by JW. Expectations and proving that expectations are based on the Bible and then changing doctrine. The same pattern of behavior. Each new JW generation lives in a state of denial of what their predecessors did and believed and said.

 

[Srecko Sostar]

3 hours ago, George88 said:

I believe that would be the most enlightening part of the headline published in 1914. Nonetheless, feel free to peruse the entire front page if it appeals to those who wish to scrutinize 1914 by distorting Russell's words similar to the manipulation observed in most things Watchtower.

The Bible Students were not completely sure what would happen. They were convinced that it would not result in a burning up of the earth and a blotting out of human life. Rather, they knew it would mark a significant point in regard to divine rulership. At first, they thought that by that date the Kingdom of God would have obtained full, universal control. When that did not occur, their confidence in the Bible prophecies that marked the date did not waver. They concluded that, instead, the date had marked only a starting point as to Kingdom rule.

Similarly, they also first thought that global troubles culminating in anarchy (which they understood would be associated with the war of “the great day of God the Almighty”) would precede that date. (Rev. 16:14) But then, ten years before 1914, the Watch Tower suggested that worldwide turmoil that would result in the annihilating of human institutions would come right after the end of the Gentile Times. 

https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Proclaimers-of-Gods-Kingdom/Gaining-Accurate-Knowledge-of-Gods-Word-and-Applying-It/Growing-in-Accurate-Knowledge-of-the-Truth/

 

[Pudgy]

4 hours ago, Many Problems said:

Hey Pudgy, if you're not convinced, do your own research. Your argument appears to be utter nonsense. Take the initiative and make an effort to look it up instead of being lazy.

i have had that in my files for a very long time. the difference is, my copies are readable.

Unreadable “proofs” are by definition utter nonsense, only bluster .

[Pudgy]

Yeah … I probably don’t have enough compassion for nonsense and bluster.

I can read, but have problems reading unintelligible blur.

When unintelligible blur is offered as backup proof of some premise, I have to shoot a red flare into the night sky so machine gunners on the surrounding hills can get a bead on the dude playing fuzzy word games.

…… silly me.

[Pudgy]

…. uh … figuratively speaking …..

[TrueTomHarley]

On 10/30/2023 at 3:49 PM, Many Miles said:

Do you think Aaron should have stood is passive support of Moses at the incident of Meribah, just because Moses was anointed by God as His spokesman?

Or, do you think Aaron should have acted to check Moses actions at that incident, despite Moses being anointed by God as His spokesman?

“Whoa, big fella! Whatcha doing here?!”

I can’t picture it. It’s not as though Moses wasn’t being severely tested. Probably Aaron felt the pressure of the same test. He was probably just as upset with the people and only sensed vaguely what Moses was doing wrong, or even if he was.

Even today, it’s hard not to excuse Moses. I liken it to, when a brother gives a good talk and ones approach him to say, ‘Good talk!’ he will, likely as not, murmur something to the effect that it is not he, but Jehovah. He says this even though it is perfectly possible for ones to speak persuasively without any help at all from Jehovah. So what are we to make of someone who takes full credit for doing something that no human in a thousand years would be able to do?

But it’s not immediately obvious. Most fail to make the point stand out as to how outrageous Moses’ response really is.

 

[TrueTomHarley]

On 10/30/2023 at 9:32 PM, Many Miles said:

Do you think Aaron should have acted to check Moses actions at that incident, despite Moses being anointed by God as His spokesman?

I had no idea this topic ran on for so long when I replied above. I am reminded of the popular psych line, ‘woulda shoulda coulda,.’ What one can discern in later years, with the benefit on unhurried time for meditation, one does not discern spur of the moment. Besides, 

On 10/30/2023 at 9:19 PM, George88 said:

Aaron's act of making the Golden Calf to satisfy the crowd clearly demonstrated his disobedience towards God

Not to mention how it shows he caves under pressure. He’s not going to stand up to Moses spur of the moment. Maybe in his later years, the years most of us are in, but not at the time.

[Many Miles]

15 minutes ago, TrueTomHarley said:

“Whoa, big fella! Whatcha doing here?!”

I can’t picture it. It’s not as though Moses wasn’t being severely tested. Probably Aaron felt the pressure of the same test. He was probably just as upset with the people and only sensed vaguely what Moses was doing wrong, or even if he was.

Even today, it’s hard not to excuse Moses. I liken it to, when a brother gives a good talk and ones approach him to say, ‘Good talk!’ he will, likely as not, murmur something to the effect that it is not he, but Jehovah. He says this even though it is perfectly possible for ones to speak persuasively without any help at all from Jehovah. So what are we to make of someone who takes full credit for doing something that no human in a thousand years would be able to do?

But it’s not immediately obvious. Most fail to make the point stand out as to how outrageous Moses’ response really is.

I completely understand what you write here, and don't necessarily disagree. The sole reason I brought up the questions you responded to was only to show there is a limit to any obedience or loyalty we may owe any human or group of humans, regardless of whatever authority they might hold.

[TrueTomHarley]

On 10/31/2023 at 9:18 AM, Juan Rivera said:

1.) I don't the see how the addition of the Meribah passage helps the discussion since we are focusing in Galatians….

I hear you they deserve an answer, but if we want to have a genuine dialogue, as distinct from just a polemical exchange that drains energy while persuading nobody,

What? It was a red herring? They got me all going over a red herring? I sure won’t make that mistake again!

On 10/31/2023 at 9:18 AM, Juan Rivera said:

Millions of people also miss the following question: A bat and ball cost $1.10. The bat costs one dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

Hmm…..if the ball cost x, and the bat cost x + 1, then the price of the ball . . . 

…okay, take a break, Tommy. Good thread, and all, but doesn’t your wife have some chores lined up for you? Better get to them.

[Pudgy]

if you are wandering around in the desert for 40 years, and it’s not that big a desert although with the people you have progress is slow, it helps if you know how to draw Maps, and have a Compass.

[Anna]

28 minutes ago, Many Miles said:

there is a limit to any obedience or loyalty we may owe any human or group of humans, regardless of whatever authority they might hold.

Yeah. If someone, no matter their lofty status, asks me to jump off a cliff, I ain't doing it!

[Anna]

1 hour ago, Many Problems said:

This information is quite valuable, especially if you find yourself trapped in a blazing high-rise building on the 13th floor. lol!

What's that got to do with jumping off a cliff?