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Srecko Sostar

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  1. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in Is Religion a Choice?   
    God spoke of his nation under covenant as "children".   When they sinned, it was obvious that they lost their "value system" in God's laws.  We choose our father, we choose our course to follow - either we desire to become children of the Almighty Father, or children of the devil.  John 8:44  
    I'm sure the devoted "children" of Jonestown believed their leaders valued their life, and they valued their own.   Were these people, "Christians"?  Did they adopt Christian values?
    What were the beliefs of Peoples Temple members?
    https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=35356
    Although a variety of beliefs existed in Peoples Temple, two main systems of thought can be identified. The first system, which tended to be concentrated in Jim Jones and a small leadership corps, comprised a belief in the salvific power of socialism. Somewhat atheistic, or at best agnostic, in nature, this belief resembled humanism in its understanding of the power of human beings to re-create and re-shape reality for the benefit of all. In this view, religion could be used to attract people into the organization so that the real message of Christianity — radical sharing and mutual support — could actually be lived. The second belief system in the Temple, and by far the largest, was a traditional Christianity which emphasized the prophetic call to social justice and a belief that the kingdom of God could be established on earth by living in an apostolic community. This system resembled the Social Gospel movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in its commitment to solving social problems; at the same time, however, the group had utopianist ideals which could only be lived out through the establishment of a community separate from the evil and injustice of the rest of the world, especially America.
    Read the following quote posted on another forum.  Do you see anything that sounds familiar with your beliefs; anything in this quote that strikes a familiar chord?  I do, and as they say; familiarity breeds contempt.  
    Deborah Layton, escapee, months before the Jim Jones, Jonestown Massacre -
    "When your own thoughts are forbidden, when your questions are not allowed and our doubts are punished, when contacts with friendships outside of the organization are censored, we are being abused for the ends never justify the means. When our heart aches knowing we have made friendships and secret attachments that will be forever forbidden if we leave, we are in danger. When we consider staying in a group because we cannot bear the loss, disappointment and sorrow our leaving will cause for ourselves and those we may have come to love, we are in a cult... If there is any lesson to be learned it is that an ideal can never be brought about by fear, abuse, and the threat of retribution. When family and friends are used as a weapon in order to force us to stay in an organization, something has gone terribly wrong." (page 299 - excerpt from book, Seductive Poison).
     
     
    Quote @Srecko Sostar - From given JW preaching, it could be concluded that WTJWorg considers its religious teachings as the foundation for its own religious morality. In fact, JWs claim that they are highly moral because they have “the truth”, that means "true religion" and "true teachings", "true religiosity". And because of that they are the most moral people on Earth. If they are such people, how it is possible that they collectively allow their fellow brothers aka WT lawyers to speak lies, to give false "testimony/witness"?? 
     
     
  2. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Witness in Is Religion a Choice?   
    In most examples, belonging to a religion is a given. With families whose parents do not have a religious need to belong to a church, children may or may not choose their religious identity at a later age. This ratio is probably higher today than before.
    Which religion has better "moral standards"? Are the moral standards of those who do not believe in religion or in God of poor quality? Does one have to be religious and belong to a religious structure in order for such a man to be “moral”?
    The actions of some "big/great" believers show that religiosity is not a guarantee for morality. For example, WT lawyers who speak inaccurate and untrue things in court and in public certainly prove that being a "Christian" or a "Jehovah's Witness" does not mean being moral and honest. Who taught them when they were children/young adult? JW parents or someone in congregation who led them to be baptized through Bible study? Have WT lawyers abandoned their "religious beliefs" or "religious morality"? 
    From given JW preaching, it could be concluded that WTJWorg considers its religious teachings as the foundation for its own religious morality. In fact, JWs claim that they are highly moral because they have “the truth”, that means "true religion" and "true teachings", "true religiosity". And because of that they are the most moral people on Earth. If they are such people, how it is possible that they collectively allow their fellow brothers aka WT lawyers to speak lies, to give false "testimony/witness"?? 
     
  3. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Shiwiii in Utah high court weighs case of woman who says church made her listen to audio of her rape   
    As to my knowledge, only in, from 2019 did WT make a change regarding testifying in a sexual offense.
    ... It is best that the witnesses give their testimony in the presence of the accused, although a victim of rape or of child sexual abuse is never required to do so..... - Shepherd book ch 16, par 2, 2019 edition
  4. Thanks
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Shiwiii in Utah high court weighs case of woman who says church made her listen to audio of her rape   
    In April 2008, the Elders summoned Ria for questioning in connection with their investigation. (R. 83–84.) The Elders first questioned Ria (who was accompanied by her mother and stepfather) for 45 minutes about her interactions with Mr. Williams, including whether Ria had voluntarily engaged in sexual activity with him. (R. 84.) Having failed to obtain the information they wanted, the Elders then played an audio recording that Mr. Williams had provided that captured the sound of one of the times he had raped Ria. - https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2019/11/Williams-Brief-for-Petitioner.pdf
    Whether this is voluntary or forced sex, the question arises: why would a JW man record sex in his car? And then, why would he give the tape to JW elders?
    And to top it all off, why would a legal body in the church accept such a recording unless it is a buy/sell situation? Is that Mr. Williams sells the record for a milder sentence and puts all the blame on Ria?
  5. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in Is Religion a Choice?   
    In most examples, belonging to a religion is a given. With families whose parents do not have a religious need to belong to a church, children may or may not choose their religious identity at a later age. This ratio is probably higher today than before.
    Which religion has better "moral standards"? Are the moral standards of those who do not believe in religion or in God of poor quality? Does one have to be religious and belong to a religious structure in order for such a man to be “moral”?
    The actions of some "big/great" believers show that religiosity is not a guarantee for morality. For example, WT lawyers who speak inaccurate and untrue things in court and in public certainly prove that being a "Christian" or a "Jehovah's Witness" does not mean being moral and honest. Who taught them when they were children/young adult? JW parents or someone in congregation who led them to be baptized through Bible study? Have WT lawyers abandoned their "religious beliefs" or "religious morality"? 
    From given JW preaching, it could be concluded that WTJWorg considers its religious teachings as the foundation for its own religious morality. In fact, JWs claim that they are highly moral because they have “the truth”, that means "true religion" and "true teachings", "true religiosity". And because of that they are the most moral people on Earth. If they are such people, how it is possible that they collectively allow their fellow brothers aka WT lawyers to speak lies, to give false "testimony/witness"?? 
     
  6. Thanks
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Village threatens to expel Protestant families in Mexico   
    https://www.christianpost.com/news/village-threatens-expel-protestant-families-beliefs-mexico.html
    Two Protestant families from indigenous communities in central Mexico have been living with no access to water, drainage and government benefit programs for a year after they were ostracized for refusing to renounce their faith, and now the community leaders are threatening to expel them, according to a report.
    The two families in La Mesa Limantitla village in the Huasteca region of Hidalgo state, who had earlier been told they would face forced displacement if they did not give their financial contributions for local Roman Catholic festivals or participate in their activities despite them being against their religious beliefs, are being threatened with expulsion, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports.
    In January, 10 families were asked to sign an illegal agreement saying they are renouncing their right to hold religious services to have their access to water and other essential services reinstated. However, the two families — Nemesio Cruz Hernández, Eligio Santiago Hernández and their wives, Maria Francisca Martínez Hernández and Angelina Martínez Hernández — refused to sign.
    Not just JWs that suffer from Catholic opposition. 
  7. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Is Religion a Choice?   
    It is good to teach children 'values' and even teaching children about God and Christ, but that is different to brainwashing them with lies and false expectations. 
    To push young children into baptism just because some other child has also been pushed into baptism, as if it's a competition. Then to disfellowship them when they go aganst the GB doctrines. 
    This is very true 
    “To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize”
     
  8. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Witness in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    In my opinion :)).., WTJWorg do make opinions about Scripture. Otherwise, decades of "clarifications" and "new lights" and changed or modified doctrines would never have happened/occurred ..... recurring error/false doctrines. 
  9. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    Perhaps i have another explanation on this. If You or I or anyone else believes in something that it is, must be "the truth", all other dialogue or arguments or facts means nothing to such person. The truth is only what I believe to be true. :))
    Is this possible to interpret how WTJWorg GB have opinions in specific terms and JW members in general terms? And by that personal faith, spirituality and understanding stops on general terms level?
  10. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Is Religion a Choice?   
    I thoght this was / is an intersting article. 
    https://www.patheos.com/blogs/secularworldbyaai/2020/11/is-religion-a-choice/
    Is Religion a Choice? 
    Not initially, no. You are not offered a choice.
    Many of us are fed our parent’s choice of faith in the same way that we are given their preferred make of baby milk… Maybe you would choose if you were shown the options but you don’t have that privilege: nobody gives you a menu of religions to select from. 
    Not offering a choice is part of the Get-em-Young strategy. 
    It begins, when you are newly born and can’t voice an objection, with a tribal branding ceremony, which may include being plunged in water or enduring genital mutilation, and it moves on to daily praying, special dietary customs, hair cuts and dress codes. It extends to schooling and gathering to worship once a week in a special hall, and includes ceremonies to mark life events such as weddings and funerals. This is not to mention a calendar of special activities at different times of year. Punishment for disobedience is often involved.
    Later though, if you are lucky enough to have freedom, you can start to question what you were told and can form your own opinion; you can unchoose. 
    Many notable people have done this. Tony Blair swapped his Protestantism for Catholicism as soon as he left office (being overtly religious is not a vote winner in the UK) and boxer Cassius Clay famously left the Baptist church for Islam, which necessitated changing his name: to Mohammed Ali.
    This unchoosing is what Muslims try to prevent with the threat of death for apostasy. People born in an Islamic theocracy are often trapped by the fundamentalist leaders’ fear of challenge. 
    Other denominations, such as the Jehovah Witnesses, use psychological sanctions: a would-be leaver has to face up to the prospect of being ostracised by his or her family and community members; the price is a complete loss of society and a need for geographical relocation to start life again without parental support. 
    What does that tell us about religion?
     “To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize” 
    That’s a good saying, whether it was coined by Voltaire, the French Enlightenment philosopher or not (there is some academic disagreement).
    Unchoosing all religions, ticking the none box in answer to the question, “What is your religion?” on polls and censuses, is becoming increasingly popular where it is permitted.
    I hope you are in a situation where you can unchoose your religion without coming to harm.
    --------------------------------------------------
    Not my words but, Definitely food for thought......................
  11. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    You're suggesting that we are being influenced by a conspiracy theory?  Or rather, are we being influenced by the Holy Scriptures?  You do say I use a lot of them.
    "For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret, but that it should come to light." Mark 4:22
     
  12. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    .... many unfounded truths ....
    This sentence is weird. If something is "Truth" than that is based on proofs and is grounded on facts.
    Lies are unfounded. In other words, subject don't have sound basis.
    It is not possible for Truth to be unfounded. 
    Some JW members have unfounded conclusions and prejudices about ARC because they heard Rumors about ARC. You contribute to this rumors. GB member G. Jackson endeavored to do everything possible so that the WT would not be held accountable for its members who had been exposed to violence in the past, or would be in the future. Another fact have to be clear to JW people too, how some of them will be CSA victim inside JW Congregation. ARC Inquiry and Report showed what was wrong with WT Policy. And 2016 WT study article what @Anna  mentioned, i guess, said nothing about WTJWorg  errors and wrongs and damages which arose due to bad policies and instructions which the elders had to follow. 
    I am sure @Anna don't need me to defend her position on this but she is honest enough and your statement are unacceptable and need to be dismiss.
  13. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    Their actions are catching up with them.  The world is beginning to see the double-dealings of the GB.  Only those who are "stiff-necked" in their defense of these so-called "spiritual betters", will continue to support their leaders, until their leaders fall.  (Jer 17:23; Rev 17:15-17)
  14. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Witness in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    WTJWorg is Company registered as Charity. Every single Congregation are registered as Charity under WTJWorg Supervision. 
    In the moment you have been baptized as one of JW you entered into Contract with WTJWorg.
    Am i right? :))
  15. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    In "normal circumstances" every religious leader and every politician and every average person will tell you: Be good, obey god, obey law, be honest, speak truth etc, etc.
    GB members in "normal circumstances" doing exactly this, teaching their flock to be good people. But behind curtain they instruct lawyers to speak things that are not giving real picture about what is going on, that are not the truth but deceiving and manipulative.
    In matters of doctrines and directives, JW members need to be very cautious about words too. In such context i would take Jesus' words relatively.  
     
  16. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    You are wrong on so many counts. For instance 
    Matthew 23 v 1 -3 
    Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2  “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3  Therefore, all the things they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but they do not practice what they say.
    Here is an example of Jesus using  'NOT a good role model' but showing how they should be obedient to instruction whilst not copying example. 
    Add to this the scripture at Romans 13
     Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. 2  Therefore, whoever opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will bring judgment against themselves. 3  For those rulers are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad.d Do you want to be free of fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear, for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword. It is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath against the one practicing what is bad.
    Now, God knew that those worldly Superior Authorities were not serving Him and not living by Christian principles, but God still uses them to serve his purpose. So if God allows them to have the authority and if God is using them as minister and avenger against bad, it would be wise for Christians to obey those authorities as long as they do not conflict with God's 'laws'.
  17. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    I understand. But i also understand that GB talking too much, and writing too much. Well, they made thesis, on this subject and many others. JW members took it as "the truth" and integrated it as issue of faith and loyalty to JHVH and Jesus. 
    After adopting the idea, the human assumption, JWs begin to observe events through such a faulty filter and continue to rely on GB to confirm or deny their projections. In this example; Who says when "final attacks" begin? How do They know that? They, GB, believed for decades in "wrong" idea about who is Gog. Even Ronald Reagan and Bible scholars of those time period interpreted matter in a way similar or same to what JW consider as "the truth" now. Well, do JW's can accept the reality of the fact that "God gives truth” to everyone, not just some? G. Jackson publicly confirm, before ARC, how they are not the only spokesperson for God. If this is "the truth" for him, is it for You or every other JW member?
    Of course, one of possibility is how all of this or parts of this what we talking about is also wrong. 
    All in all, WTJWorg and GB constantly prove that, in a theological sense, they are part of "the sea thrown by the waves". In a corporate sense, WTJWorg is a structure that must feed itself in order to survive. For this purpose, it uses double standards, one for its lawyers who represent it before the world, and the other criteria for members.
    Let me to illustrate this with what i learned before few years in one Court document, and today with another one which i quote here:
    From a legal standpoint, all congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses are separately registered charities with their own independent committee of management. No separate legal entity in Australia exerts authority over the congregations.
    https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/National_Redress_Scheme/NationalRedressScheme/Submissions
    123 Page size: select  47 items in 3 pages No. Submitter   123 Page size: select  47 items in 3 pages 43 Mark Jones (PDF 1657 KB)  Attachment 1 (PDF 512 KB)  45 In Good Faith Foundation (PDF 1713 KB)  46 Prof Kathleen Daly & Juliet Davis (PDF 4562 KB)  47 Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Australasia) (PDF 104 KB)  Are you and your Congregation independent from Bethel, CO, GB and WT or any other WT Company and their Representatives ?? No!  
    Kingdom interests on the earth have been entrusted to “the faithful and discreet slave,” which is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Matthew 24:45-47) The Governing Body is primarily concerned with providing spiritual instruction and direction for the Christian congregation. (Acts 6:1-6) - https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/w20010115/Keep-in-Step-With-Jehovahs-Organization/
    Double tongued, or as our friend @César Chávez would say "double mouth".
  18. Like
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    We really have to look at the “thousand years” and Armageddon symbolically, and not in the physical sense.  (2 Pet 3:8)
    God’s eternal Kingdom brings peace – lasting peace, at the finality of Armageddon. 
    “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” 1 Cor 15:23-26
    When Christ returns, and with him are his faithful “144,000”, as well as the portion being  the anointed remnant, who faithfully come out the Great Tribulation/Armageddon, (Rev 7:9,10,14,15)
    …it is then that he “delivers” his completed kingdom to God.
     
     The apostle Paul describes Christ’s kingdom:
    “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col 1:9-14
    Jesus promised eternal life (living forever) to those who were obedient to his teachings and believed in him. (John 6:51; 1 John 5:11; 1 Cor 15:22)  There’s absolutely no room in this teaching for any who do so today, to be tested at the end of a thousand years after Armageddon.  Believing it must occur, nullifies Jesus’ teachings – totally.   Wt says that it is necessary to teach resurrected ones, to bring them to up to speed.  Don’t ask me what that means.  Firstly, it has been proven that Wt, tells lies. Who should trust anyone who believes only those of an earthly organization based on falsehoods still enforced, will receive eternal life?  Jesus said, he is the way, truth and life. He promised eternal life to faithful believers in him since the first century. (John 14:6)
     Before Christ, those faithful to God, held their promise in the “city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Heb 11:10)  The God of the living, would not expect these faithful ones to be tested AGAIN, after the tests they had already suffered from Satan.  Do these ancient ones need to be taught by JWs as well, people who cannot see the light of Christ as it is?  (Luke 20:37-38) 
    Jesus stated while on earth, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”  Matt 28:18
    When a teacher walks into a classroom, the students consent to his authority to guide, teach, protect and even reprimand their unruly behavior.  If a king is given authority, he doesn’t sit on the sidelines, but acts upon that given authority.
    Jesus had been given authority to rule and teach, over his anointed “students”, which has been ongoing throughout the last 2,000 years.  When faithful through the tests Satan puts upon them, they become part of Christ’s “kingdom”.  If they fail, they become his “enemies”.  This is the divisive sword that Jesus explained would occur by his coming to earth.  It is an ongoing harvest of the “sons of the Kingdom”.  (Matt 10:34-36) (Matt 13:24-30)
    Ps 119:1 - “Sit at my right hand
        until I make your enemies
        a footstool for your feet.”
    Since Jesus and the Father work together as one, (John 10:30) not only is God putting Jesus’ enemies at his feet, but so is Jesus. 
    “For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.”  1 Cor 15:25
    2 The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying,
        “Rule in the midst of your enemies!”
    3 Your troops will be willing
        on your day of battle.
    Arrayed in holy splendor,
        your young men will come to you
        like dew from the morning’s womb.
    His troops are the sealed “144,000” who through their faithfulness to his decrees, enter the “kingdom of the Son of his love” – the “kingdom of light”.   
    Paul said those words while on the earth, but he received his “heavenly” position in the kingdom, by his name being written in the “Lamb’s book of life”.  (Rev 21:27) (Phil 4:3) And, by being a “new creation”, both human and spirit.  (2 Cor 5:17; 2 Pet 3:13)
    So, besides putting his enemies at his feet, Jesus has been given authority to rule over his faithful anointed who are both heavenly/spiritual and earthly/human, when they receive their heavenly name in the book of life; and also when they join after their physical death,  the “144,000” who are with him now in heaven, not waiting in the grave for a resurrection.  They rule from heaven with Christ. 
    This spiritual battle has been ongoing since Genesis.  (Gen 3:15)  Paul stressed that whatever happens on the visible earthly scene between nations, matteres not.  He stressed our struggle is spiritual. (2 Cor 10:3-5) Armageddon is a spiritual war, a war of “decision” making; that is now culminating by the appearance of the last anointed ones.  They must make the decision of who they choose as their head and salvation. They must choose between truth and lies.   Those with them, must also make that choice. (Joel 3:14; Rev 16:13-16)
     
    These next two scriptures explain when Satan was “abyssed” – not able to “perceive” (the meaning of “abyss”/Hades), how to deceive the anointed.
    Luke 10:18 -  He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” 
    Rev 20:1-3  “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.”
    When Satan “fell” into the endless symbolic abyss of “not perceiving”, the anointed at that time period didn’t face the last deception Satan constructed during these last days – the Beast who “makes war” with the anointed; and the false prophet who guides/direct the Beast to “kill” all who reject their dedication to it. (Rev 13:1,2,7,8,11,15)  Jesus partially restricted the power of Satan over those who had been rescued from darkness in the first century, and over the last 2,000 years.  (1 Pet 2:5,9; Col 1:13; 1 Thess 5:4-8)
    But, The final part of the war against the “seed” belonging to Christ, is the most deceptive.  As stated, those anointed before now, never faced the two deceiving Beasts in Revelation 13 and 20 (Gog and Magog). They never gave their allegiance to the Beast. (Rev 13:4,16,17) They are the sealed anointed who were beheaded for the testimony of Christ, and given thrones to rule with Jesus during the “thousand years” which began in the first century.  (Rev 20:4)
     But, notice in Revelation 20, the anointed “saints” are “gathered together” as a “camp”, surrounded by the enemy.  That can’t happen a thousand years after the war of Armageddon is finished, since they are sealed and ruling with Christ. They cannot be deceived since they have "washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb", refined from all sin.  (Rev 7:14)  Ignoring this fact, is what the Beast from the Sea has accomplished with a false prophet’s help. (Rev 13:11,12) The GB/organization hide this information, and Satan gives them the power and authority to do this since his release from “not perceiving” how to deceive the remaining anointed. This occurred with advent of the organization.
    Jesus went on to say in Luke,
    19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
    Well today, the anointed are “trampled” down by the elder body, an army of locust scorpions who afflict pain on those who are not sealed in the book of life. (Rev 9:7-11)  Yes, the elder body is the locust army to come against God’s people during the last days.  On the other hand, the WT/GB calls Revelation’s locust scorpions, the anointed themselves -  an outlandish lie.  Can anyone trust these leaders who took years to realize that God’s people are not the locusts in the book of Joel?  Jesus told the Pharisees, they were a brood of vipers because of the lies they spoke – snakes and scorpions are Satan’s tools used against the last anointed ones.  Satan’s “seed” and Christ’s seed, are still at enmity. 
    Not until the God’s anointed priests speak their testimony to Christ and are spiritually “killed”/disfellowshipped, do they then have power to trample on snakes and scorpions, using God’s Word in Christ.  (Ps 91:13-15) (Rev 11:1-3,7-11) (Jer 23:29)
    The faithful anointed are joining together now, and those with them who thirst for truth.  (Matt 24:27,28; 22:8-10)
     
     
    Rom 9:28 -   Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:
    “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea,
        only the remnant will be saved.
    Rev 20:7,8 - “Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.” 
    Rom 9:29 -
    28 For the Lord will carry out
        his sentence on earth with speed and finality.”
    “I watched till thrones were put in place,
    And the Ancient of Days was seated;
    His garment was white as snow,
    And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
    His throne was a fiery flame,
    Its wheels a burning fire;
    “I was watching in the night visions,
    And behold, One like the Son of Man,
    Coming with the clouds of heaven!
    He came to the Ancient of Days,
    And they brought Him near before Him.
    14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
    That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
    His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    Which shall not pass away,
    And His kingdom the one
    Which shall not be destroyed.
    “I was watching; and the same horn (“man of lawlessness”/Beast) was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
    But the court shall be seated,
    And they shall take away his dominion,
    To consume and destroy it forever.
    27 Then the kingdom and dominion,
    And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
    Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.
    His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’  Dan chapter 7
     
    In the Kingdom of God, there will not be another opportunity for Satan to deceive…anyone.  Only the “righteous” in heart, will possess the earth; something JWs preach, but still believe there will be those after a thousand years, numbering as the sands of the sea, who will be found unrighteous.  This is a deception that God has allowed, to test each heart’s yearning, for either truth or lies.   (2 Thess 2:9-12)
      When Do the Anointed Become Kings?
     
  19. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    So, if a congregation faces a lawsuit, resulting from say...their leadership's "two witness rule" that was enforced by the congregation's elders,  the congregation gets no help whatsoever from their leaders.  Yet...the buildings where the congregations meet, are owned by the organization.  It's sounds very possible, that a congregation in deep legal trouble, could have its meeting place taken away from it, up and sold out from under them.  
     So, you can only trust the GB with your spiritual food?  Not even that.  
    "The righteous care about justice for the poor,
        but the wicked have no such concern."  Prov 29:7
  20. Thanks
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    ng @Srecko Sostar You seem to have done some research and some deep thinking. 
    @Witness You too have done research and deep thinking, but along different lines. 
    @Anna seems to just be defending the CCJW at this point. Though she is very sincere in her thoughts and words. 
    I am not capable of such deep thinking or deep research. 
    In honesty I don't think anyone here on this earth is being guided by God's Holy Spirit right now.
    It is possible to find so many contradictions in the CCJW teachings, many of which are from years past and some more up to date. It seems to prove that the Leaders of the CCJW / Watchtower do not, and have never had, the guidance of God's Holy Spirit. Of course my saying such things upsets JWs and @Arauna and others will yell "he just hates us".  But honest hearted ones will see all the contradictions in the JW Org.
    @Srecko Sostar I like your point about the 'lawsuits against the WT'. Attacks come in many forms. But those enquiries into Sexual / Legal misconduct of Elders and even of the GB may not be attacks by an 'enemy' but maybe a cleansing by God through Christ.  It would come in the form of punishment to those that have allowed themselves to sin in such ways. But God and Christ could be cleaning out the  CCJW to make it useable for God's purpose.  For if God does not do this then God will need to form a new organisation before the coming Armageddon. 
    @Anna I would like your honest viewpoint on that thought. 
    @Witness You really are bringing different 'food to this table'. Food that i cannot digest. Your thoughts and words speak of Armageddon as if much of it is in the past tense.  As if Christs 1,000 reign has already happened ?   And much of what you say is far beyond my thinking. 
    So of my own thoughts. It seems to me that everyone here brings there own food to this table.  Everyone seems sincere and speaks from an honest heart. So, if we are all sincere, why does God not join us all in harmony ? I am honestly waiting for a True Anointed Remnant to appear, to guide all sincere, God loving people, to truth. 
    God will not destroy His own people, but who are his own people ?  
  21. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    Do WTJWorg GB consider as an "attack under different names" also; many lawsuits against WT, all sorts of inquiries on WTJWorg policies and procedures from Police in many countries, from ARC in Australia, from The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) England and Wales etc?
    Well, all nations are involved. Some of them make pressure on JW, some of them persecute JW, some of them allows bad things to happen to JW, some of them defending JW human rights, some of them play double game etc. All nations are involved somehow.
  22. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    WT GB theology, supposedly biblically grounded, and most important, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as GB say, explains why people suffer, why there is great evil in the world, and especially why the followers of Christ are subjected to persecution, especially from 1914 till now .
    In addition to the general explanation that humans are imperfect because of Adam and Eve sin, there is also the interpretation how satan and demons generate evil and are behind all attacks on JW members. Recently, the focus has been on Russia, and still is. For example, this two quotes say:
    During the 2019 annual meeting, Brother Mark Sanderson of the Governing Body delivered the talk entitled “What Do We Have to Fear?” The talk included this video segment with experiences from some of our brothers and sisters who have been persecuted in Russia. - https://www.jw.org/ase/news/jw/region/russia/No-Reason-to-Fear-Persecution/
    As Russian authorities continue to fabricate lies to discredit our reputation as peace-loving people, we recall the words of Jesus, who foretold that opposers would “lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against” his disciples.—Matthew 5:11. - https://www.jw.org/ase/news/jw/region/russia/witnesses-framed-extremist-weapons-20181019/
    What said the teaching?
    Many people reject God because they blame him for suffering. Directly or indirectly, many religious leaders have taught that God is the cause of our suffering. But is it possible that religious leaders have misrepresented God? What if God has rejected them? God does not cause our suffering. God rejects religion that misrepresents him. This includes religions that teach that God causes our suffering and those that are involved with warfare and violence. - https://www.jw.org/ase/library/magazines/awake-no2-2020-jul-aug/is-god-to-blame-for-our-suffering/
    According to the latest explanation of who “Gog of Magog” is, JW members have learned that it is not Satan, but that it is a “coalition of the people”. Russia also belongs to this "coalition".
    In his TV sermon, D. Splane, as a “guardian of doctrine,” reads a passage from Ez. 38: 4 with explanation how JHVH talk words to this "coalition of nation". It says:  "I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords." 
    D. Splane explained the idea how "coalition of nation" didn't want to attack His nation, but JHVH redirected direction of "coalition". He said: "Timing of the attack is Jehovah's .. as some point following the destruction of Babylon The Great, Jehovah may in some way lure the nations into carrying out what is already in their hearts. Jehovah will thus set the stage for the attach that leads to Armageddon ......."   Ez 38:10 state:  You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
    How else do WT publications answer the question of why people (JW members) suffer?
    Humans bear a heavy responsibility for suffering. Some suffering is brought on by our own choices. Suffering is not punishment from God. On the contrary, much of it is random—often, a matter of someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Our sinful nature contributes to suffering. - https://www.jw.org/ase/library/magazines/awake-no2-2020-jul-aug/blame-for-own-suffering/
    JW suffer in Russia not need to have nothing with GB claims, how they are the only true religion and because they follow Jesus, as reasons for Russian Government ban on WTJWorg. Because, supposedly, Russia as all other governments that are part of "coalition of nations" want to harm WTJWorg because they are True Religion Organization. 
    Is the ban of WTJWorg in 34 countries around the world an attack by a “coalition of nations”? Was it, Is it "timing is Jehovah's"? Who cause suffer for JW in Russia ? Russia or because JHVH brought them against "his land"? Is this Russian attack on " JW True Religion" contrary to GB idea how "UN will attack false religion first and at the end they will attack the "true religion"? Because in reality, all sorts of religion ("true and/or false") have experienced attack through the centuries. 
    Does the attack of the "coalition" at this time, not recognize the difference between "true and false religion", and mistakenly persecute WTJWorg? What is wrong with their "attack timing"? Didn't they read the WT study magazines, because according to it, they must first start destroying all "false religions" and not create problems for "true religion"? 
     
     
  23. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Witness in By whose order are JW's being persecuted around the world?   
    WT GB theology, supposedly biblically grounded, and most important, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as GB say, explains why people suffer, why there is great evil in the world, and especially why the followers of Christ are subjected to persecution, especially from 1914 till now .
    In addition to the general explanation that humans are imperfect because of Adam and Eve sin, there is also the interpretation how satan and demons generate evil and are behind all attacks on JW members. Recently, the focus has been on Russia, and still is. For example, this two quotes say:
    During the 2019 annual meeting, Brother Mark Sanderson of the Governing Body delivered the talk entitled “What Do We Have to Fear?” The talk included this video segment with experiences from some of our brothers and sisters who have been persecuted in Russia. - https://www.jw.org/ase/news/jw/region/russia/No-Reason-to-Fear-Persecution/
    As Russian authorities continue to fabricate lies to discredit our reputation as peace-loving people, we recall the words of Jesus, who foretold that opposers would “lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against” his disciples.—Matthew 5:11. - https://www.jw.org/ase/news/jw/region/russia/witnesses-framed-extremist-weapons-20181019/
    What said the teaching?
    Many people reject God because they blame him for suffering. Directly or indirectly, many religious leaders have taught that God is the cause of our suffering. But is it possible that religious leaders have misrepresented God? What if God has rejected them? God does not cause our suffering. God rejects religion that misrepresents him. This includes religions that teach that God causes our suffering and those that are involved with warfare and violence. - https://www.jw.org/ase/library/magazines/awake-no2-2020-jul-aug/is-god-to-blame-for-our-suffering/
    According to the latest explanation of who “Gog of Magog” is, JW members have learned that it is not Satan, but that it is a “coalition of the people”. Russia also belongs to this "coalition".
    In his TV sermon, D. Splane, as a “guardian of doctrine,” reads a passage from Ez. 38: 4 with explanation how JHVH talk words to this "coalition of nation". It says:  "I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords." 
    D. Splane explained the idea how "coalition of nation" didn't want to attack His nation, but JHVH redirected direction of "coalition". He said: "Timing of the attack is Jehovah's .. as some point following the destruction of Babylon The Great, Jehovah may in some way lure the nations into carrying out what is already in their hearts. Jehovah will thus set the stage for the attach that leads to Armageddon ......."   Ez 38:10 state:  You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
    How else do WT publications answer the question of why people (JW members) suffer?
    Humans bear a heavy responsibility for suffering. Some suffering is brought on by our own choices. Suffering is not punishment from God. On the contrary, much of it is random—often, a matter of someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Our sinful nature contributes to suffering. - https://www.jw.org/ase/library/magazines/awake-no2-2020-jul-aug/blame-for-own-suffering/
    JW suffer in Russia not need to have nothing with GB claims, how they are the only true religion and because they follow Jesus, as reasons for Russian Government ban on WTJWorg. Because, supposedly, Russia as all other governments that are part of "coalition of nations" want to harm WTJWorg because they are True Religion Organization. 
    Is the ban of WTJWorg in 34 countries around the world an attack by a “coalition of nations”? Was it, Is it "timing is Jehovah's"? Who cause suffer for JW in Russia ? Russia or because JHVH brought them against "his land"? Is this Russian attack on " JW True Religion" contrary to GB idea how "UN will attack false religion first and at the end they will attack the "true religion"? Because in reality, all sorts of religion ("true and/or false") have experienced attack through the centuries. 
    Does the attack of the "coalition" at this time, not recognize the difference between "true and false religion", and mistakenly persecute WTJWorg? What is wrong with their "attack timing"? Didn't they read the WT study magazines, because according to it, they must first start destroying all "false religions" and not create problems for "true religion"? 
     
     
  24. Like
    Srecko Sostar got a reaction from Anna in Tiny Donkey Thinks He's Actually A Dog | The Dodo   
  25. Upvote
    Srecko Sostar reacted to Witness in JUST HOW BIG OF A DEBACLE, WAS THE PROPHESY OF 1975?   
    After reading this string of comments, the person who created the topic video on 1975, has this to say,
    "The truth is quite nuanced about 1975. The conventions were where we went to be ‘taught by God’ and there we heard clearly that 1975 would bring the end.
    The publications were more cautious, or should I say devious, because they hinted at what 1975 would bring.
    Fifty years after those conventions the recordings are very rare. Had we all the recordings of every convention during that time the evidence would be incredible. The fact we have as many mentions of 1975 from so few recordings also speaks volumes.
    The facts are the WT spoke out of both sides of its mouth, just as it does today on so many shaky topics. This gives fawning apologists the opportunity to self deceive and point to certain publications to deny what was spoken in Gods name at the conventions.
    A clever strategy worthy of Satan himself."
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