Patiently waiting for Truth

Quote "The Pauline letters are meant to be understood by spiritual people." Well that leaves the GB and other W/t and CCJW leaders out of that then. @Srecko Sostar You have a wonderful way with words. And your last paragraph sums it up perfectly.

@Shiwiii Thank you for understanding me and for defending my point of view. I truly think that @Arauna understood every word that I wrote, but she just wants to make trouble for me. Unfortunately @Arauna does not understand the difference between obedience to GOD as opposed to obedience to the GB and it's 2 orgs ( Wt & CCJW ). A true Christian knows that Yeshua / Jesus came to earth to die as a ransom for Adam's sin. It was planned even before he was born as a human. But the death of any other human is NOT PLANNED out before hand. And the Matthew 12 v 9 -12 scripture still stands. I honestly don't believe that those people in the 1st century would have even thought about blood transfusions. The scripture is addressed not to Jews but to the people of the nations, and they would have been used to seeing people drinking blood as it was not uncommon. Acts 15 v 19 & 20 " Therefore, my decision is not to trouble those from the nations who are turning to God, 20 but to write them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood". Verse 14 says.. " Symʹe·onq has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name." This directive was given to the Gentiles. It was about not drinking blood. The GB would know this for sure and in a way they prove it by allowing 'Blood Fractions' which are taken from whole blood. If they really believed blood was so sacred they would not agree to it being taken out of the body to be divided into parts. Christ's blood was something totally different. He was a perfect human and his blood was perfect and therefore the perfect offering. And the Anointed partake of that perfect 'blood' to be ONE with Christ. @James Thomas Rook Jr. 's comment is almost unbelievable :- " I have never even met anyone that is "loyal to the Governing Body". They do try to be loyal to God ...by obeying the non-inspired and all to often fallible and flat wrong, sometimes goofy self-aggrandizing teachings of the GB. " I hope that is all supposed to be a joke. How can the above comment be, being 'loyal to God' ? Realising that the GB are ' non-inspired and all to often fallible and flat wrong ' and 'goofy self-aggrandizing', then anyone would not obey them. Blind men leading the blind. By obeying them that is being loyal to them, in fact it is almost worshipping them. There is so much more to answer, so many other comments. But I'll leave you with JTR Jr's comment about the GB ;- They alone are allowed to apostatize from their previous teachings, without severe punishment. And what does that tell you ? They have exalted themselves above all others.

As for Romans, when did God speak to you personally to suggest his Holy Spirit isn't among those loyal ones in the Watchtower? BY THEIR WORKS YOU WILL KNOW THEM. Simple enough for you Billy the kid ?

You are a sick lady to say such a thing. I'd better stop at that.

I think almost any 'Christian church' could use all of those scriptures. They DO NOT PROVE that the CCJW and its GB are the true Christian organisation. But you can hide behind those scriptures if it makes you feel good. I know you won't bother to think about the Child Sexual Abuse that your GB is hiding in the CCJW and how the Victims have to suffer for the sake of the rotten organisation. And you won't bother to think about how dishonest the GB's lawyers are. Nor will you think of the misuse of scripture because you do the same. And you won't remember that your GB admitted to NOT BEING INSPIRED OF HOLY SPIRIT. And how it has also been admitted that Elders are NOT APPOINTED BY HOLY SPIRIT. But you keep hiding behind your GB and their lies. Because you, just like other JWs, are actually frightened of TRUTH.

Well at least James would put some honesty and straight talk into a dishonest Org.

But then from America we get this https://www.sbs.com.au/news/dateline/people-would-be-so-receptive-right-now-and-we-can-t-knock-on-doors In mid-March, her Kingdom Hall meetings went virtual. Members logged into Zoom to share Bible Scriptures. Francis settled on one that she thought would resonate as she knocked on doors in her neighbourhood across the county, which had by then registered a handful of COVID-19 cases. At the doorstep, Francis would start her pitch by asking people if they could make one thing in the world go away, what would it be? If the answer had to do with the pandemic, she would recite a couple of verses from the book of Luke: “There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another food shortages and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs.” All the signs were clear, she would announce. Armageddon was near. Her message finally seemed to be resonating with people.

Gibraltar Chronicle Coronavirus is not the end of the world’By Manolo 20th April 2020 By Manolo Gatt Jehovah’s Witnesses all around the world have reacted quickly to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Since the initial stages of this, now pandemic, rigorous measures have been taken including the suspension of all public religious activity including large assemblies as well as local meetings usually held in Kingdom Halls. Locally, working very closely with the Civilian Contingencies Committee, we have implemented all recommended measures as and when required including the suspension of our main activity of going from house to house and public witnessing with our recognisable trolleys. However, we have been using other means at our disposal such as video conferencing to continue to “meet together”, thus encouraging one another whilst also continuing, to the extent possible, to receive much needed spiritual instruction and comfort. We of course continue in our determination to fully collaborate with the health authorities, which we thank for their invaluable work, as we endure these challenging times. Please note that our website, JW.org, is open to everyone, where you can find encouraging and up building information for all age groups, including Bible-based movies which are very practical for our days. In the meantime, our younger members are helping out as volunteers and are offering themselves to help their neighbours and the elderly going to supermarkets, pharmacies and taking them to the hospital to the doctor when they have an appointment. We also very much take into consideration the needs of the deaf and the blind by providing them with programmes transmitted by video conference to their own homes in sign language by a team of translators and also Braille publications for those who need them. Finally, although some people may say that Jehovah’s Witnesses are saying that the coronavirus is a sign of the end of the world, the fact is that we would never make such an affirmation. What then? According to the Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition), Jesus, responding to a question asked by his inquisitive disciples: “Tell us […] what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” Jesus answered, and we are quoting only in part: “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (epidemics)” (Luke 21:7, 11). So it would be wrong to say that the Coronavirus is the sign of the end of the world. The truth is that epidemics and diseases have plagued and continue to plague the human race. As we all know humanity has been plagued in recent times, like “the Spanish flu” (1918-1919), that killed more than 40 million persons, the ‘simple flu’, that every year causes the death of between 250,000 and 500,000. Or aids that has infected more than 76 million persons and caused the death of 35 million with deceases related to this ailment. Only in 2016 1.8 million died because of Aids. Therefore, what can certainly be said is that we are living in the time Jesus foretold when he answered his disciples question. However, anyone that aims to take advantage of such a tremendous situation as the one we are experiencing today, so sad and tragic with its many deaths and economic instability, to frighten or intimidate the people that are our neighbours, does a great disservice to the real message of hope that the Bible highlights and Jesus taught us to pray for, saying: “Let your Kingdom come”. That hope is the promise of a better world that everyone can aspire to where God Himself “will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things shall pass away.” And they will pass away. The Kingdom of God will accomplish this. (Matthew 6:9; Apocalypse 21:4; RSV Catholic Edition). That is why Jesus wanted everyone to know about this, so he told his disciples that: “this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). This is the true essence of real Christianity. Manolo Gatt is the Overseer Public Relations in the Gibraltar Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses Nice to have a balanced viewpoint. However, we have been using other means at our disposal such as video conferencing to continue to “meet together”, thus encouraging one another whilst also continuing, to the extent possible, to receive much needed spiritual instruction and comfort. We of course continue in our determination to fully collaborate with the health authorities, which we thank for their invaluable work, as we endure these challenging times. Please note that our website, JW.org, is open to everyone, where you can find encouraging and up building information for all age groups, including Bible-based movies which are very practical for our days. In the meantime, our younger members are helping out as volunteers and are offering themselves to help their neighbours and the elderly going to supermarkets, pharmacies and taking them to the hospital to the doctor when they have an appointment. We also very much take into consideration the needs of the deaf and the blind by providing them with programmes transmitted by video conference to their own homes in sign language by a team of translators and also Braille publications for those who need them. Finally, although some people may say that Jehovah’s Witnesses are saying that the coronavirus is a sign of the end of the world, the fact is that we would never make such an affirmation. What then? According to the Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition), Jesus, responding to a question asked by his inquisitive disciples: “Tell us […] what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” Jesus answered, and we are quoting only in part: “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (epidemics)” (Luke 21:7, 11). So it would be wrong to say that the Coronavirus is the sign of the end of the world. The truth is that epidemics and diseases have plagued and continue to plague the human race. As we all know humanity has been plagued in recent times, like “the Spanish flu” (1918-1919), that killed more than 40 million persons, the ‘simple flu’, that every year causes the death of between 250,000 and 500,000. Or aids that has infected more than 76 million persons and caused the death of 35 million with deceases related to this ailment. Only in 2016 1.8 million died because of Aids. Therefore, what can certainly be said is that we are living in the time Jesus foretold when he answered his disciples question. However, anyone that aims to take advantage of such a tremendous situation as the one we are experiencing today, so sad and tragic with its many deaths and economic instability, to frighten or intimidate the people that are our neighbours, does a great disservice to the real message of hope that the Bible highlights and Jesus taught us to pray for, saying: “Let your Kingdom come”. That hope is the promise of a better world that everyone can aspire to where God Himself “will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things shall pass away.” And they will pass away. The Kingdom of God will accomplish this. (Matthew 6:9; Apocalypse 21:4; RSV Catholic Edition). That is why Jesus wanted everyone to know about this, so he told his disciples that: “this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). This is the true essence of real Christianity. Manolo Gatt is the Overseer Public Relations in the Gibraltar Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Well done James. Mine was coffee and a bowl of cereal. Then I too celebrated being alive by breaking the 'lock down', and at 8.30 am, going for a three hour walk in the woodland. Justified it by continuing my walk via the Chemist to pick up medication. As for jam and cream scones, yum yum. But then I'm in England. As for Arauna's 'celebration' / 'ceremony' um, some folks definitely seem to need physical things to cling to.

I find it soooooo funny when you JWs go on about how corrupt the 'world' is, when anyone with Bible knowledge knows that the 'whole world is in the power of the wicked one'. Do you really expect honesty and love and mercy and justice from 'worldly' governments ? BUT I think you are just using it as a smoke screen to try to hide the corruption within the CCJW / Watchtower Soc. Your GB's Lawyers cannot even by honest. Your GB cannot show love, mercy or justice to CSA Victims or others. Your GB give orders to those in line, right down to the Elders, to d/fed anyone that 'gets out of line' with GB think. And of course the shunning follows. Shunning by brain dead congregants that have lost the will to think for themselves. Your whole organisation x 2 and its leaders are totally corrupt. But no, you just carry on thinking about how corrupt the 'world' is, whilst worshipping your GB and its Orgs.

God has not given any authority to the GB or the rest of the Leaders of the CCJW. Even the GB admit to NOT BEING inspired by God's Holy Spirit, and they admit that they 'err', or deliberately do wrong. They used to pretend that Elders were appointed by Holy Spirit, but now they admit that Elders are NOT appointed by Holy spirit. The GB have back tracked on many things. They constantly change the 'teachings' through the Watchtower. The GB also deliberately 'forget' that the 'Body of Christ' are 'FELLOW SLAVES', and the GB use the Elders to control those FELLOW SLAVES. Those FELLOW SLAVES are told not to meet together and not to have Bible study together. AND, disgustingly, the GB accuse their FELLOW SLAVES of 'working against the Holy Spirit'. You of course serve your GB and are therefore blinded by their trickery and falsehood. Go careful, blind guides is what they are and you will all fall into the pit. You will have no excuse when Judgement arrives.

@Arauna writes : so in future it will be harder and harder for JWs to control our own bodies and that of our children. They will treat us as property if the state...... to do with as they please. Do you not realise that your GB control you and your children ? And your GB treat you as THEIR property. If only JWs didn't just listen to their Leaders. If only they used their own Bible based conscience. If only JWs understood scripture. BUT NO. JWs are ruled over by the GB and the others top dogs. JWs won't even try to save the lives of their own children. I think that could amount to murder. The GB and it's MOB of rulers will have a lot of Blood to answer for when their judgement arrives. I refer again to Matthew 12 v 9 through 12. where Jesus said it was LAWFUL to do a FINE THING ON THE SABBATH. If you had a good Bible trained conscience you would understand what that means. How much more valuable is a man/woman/child than an animal ?

@Arauna Keeps going on about 'the slave' . She means the GB of course. But the scriptures say at Matthew 24 v 45 - 51 “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?z 46 Happy is that slave if his master on coming finds him doing so!a 47 Truly I say to you, he will appoint him over all his belongings.48 “But if ever that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’b 49 and he starts to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know,c 51 and he will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his place with the hypocrites. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be. Note there is more that one 'slave' and in fact more than one 'type' of slave. Arauna along with her Leaders the GB, don't want to think about the others, for obvious reasons. Arauna start to think about the FELLOW SLAVES. They are more than equal to your GB.

However the GB / leaders of CCJW may not want it in the public eye. I know this life is not the 'most' important, but it seems crazy to let yourself die especially when compared to Matthew 12 v 9 through 12, when a Jew would break the Mosaic Law to save an animal. Yeshua / Jesus made it very clear in that scripture 'how much more valuable is a man / person than a sheep / animal'. Each to their own Bible trained conscience, unless you are a JW, then it's do as you are told by your Leaders.

@Witness & @Srecko Sostar you have both got me thinking on this now. It is very interesting and it will get me re-reading the Greek Scriptures once again but from a different viewpoint. However the NWT is what I've been using and now I'm thinking I need a different translation of God's Word. The NWT does alter words to suit there own agenda, so a comparison would be nice, but in hard copy. I know lots are available to read online but It would be great to get away from this screen and maybe read in the garden.

Are you saying the leaked memo is fake ? You do understand that the need for leaked information is because the GB / Leaders of JW Org are too secretive. If an Earthwide CCJW statement was given concerning such serious things the leaked memos would not be necessary. I'm sure all JWs Earthwide would like to know immediately the direction from their Leaders. It does concern their lives and the lives of their loved ones after all.

@Julie Bayley maybe the reason you are shocked is because these things are kept hidden by the Elders in the congregations. I hope you are aware that this type of thing is happening Earthwide in the JW Org. If you are not aware then I suggest you do a Google search for Jehovah's Witnesses Child Sexual Abuse. You will be horrified at what you find out.

But TTH says 'No one can disfellowship the GB'. And it has been proven that their Lawyers are dishonest. Therefore any changes will have to be 'authorised' from much 'higher up'. May the God of Heaven and Earth show mercy to HIS true followers and bring in justice, truth and guidance soon. I think cases such as this, and there are many more of them, prove the need for a True Anointed to guide and protect Almighty God's people. As for the GB / CCJW maybe this applies :- Revelation 2. v 4 & 5 Nevertheless, I hold this against you, that you have left the love you had at first.5 “‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first. If you do not, I will come to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. English Standard VersionBut I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. But I fear that all those with 'power and authority' within CCJW will not listen, not even to God through Christ.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/jehovahs-witnesses-refused-reveal-details-18007120 Paedophile ELDER. Article dated : 12 April 2020 Clifford Whiteley, 73, jailed for offences but court told church had refused to reveal details of what he told them A Jehovah's Witnesses group refused to help police after a paedophile elder had confessed to them, a court heard. Clifford Whiteley, 73, had admitted the child abuse to a West Midlands branch of the church after carrying out the attack more than ten years ago. But a court heard the group allegedly refused to reveal details of that confession to police - citing data protection reasons. After being arrested by police Whiteley initially denied his crimes, before saying: "My life is over now. Jehovah's Witnesses cannot lie. God will judge me." Whiteley, of Ball Fields, Great Bridge, Tipton, was jailed for nine years at Birmingham Crown Court. The Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, better known as Birmingham Crown Court He had previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child and three other serious sexual offences. Passing sentence, Judge Paul Farrer QC told him: "You used your religion to convince your victim she was complicit in your wrongdoing and, in that way, sought to silence her and, sadly, you succeeded for many years." The court heard the victim had been brought up in the Jehovah's Witnesses while the defendant was an elder in a congregation in the West Midlands. Kathryn Orchard, prosecuting, said the victim had tried to "blot out" the offences. But after she revealed what had happened to her there was a meeting with church figures where Whiteley denied the allegations. Miss Orchard said the Jehovah's Witnesses also launched its own investigation and the defendant had confessed. But it was claimed when police later quizzed about the details of what Whiteley said, the group refused to reveal them. Miss Orchard said the defendant had also not answered police questions. The judge said the victim suffered severe psychological harm and that it was enduring. Sharon Bailey, defending, said Whiteley had a number of health issues which would become more acute in time. She said he had not been responsible for the Jehovah's Witnesses refusing to disclose his confession - a decision allegedly taken for data protection reasons. So it continues. No cooperation with the police. Using Clergy-Penitent Privilege / 'Data Protection' as an excuse. It isn't going to change until Yahweh, through Yeshua / Jesus, judges the CCJW and it's Leaders.

Copied as found. Don't know how true this is. APRIL 10, 2020 On Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a statement regarding an experimental treatment for COVID-19. It involved “convalescent plasma” collected from people who have recovered from the disease. The FDA said that, while the treatment had not been approved (since experimental data was virtually non-existent), there were a few places where scientists or doctors could use it, including in patients with “serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections.” The thinking is that there are antibodies present in the plasma of recovered patients that could help current patients fight the virus. Okay. Fine. The problem is that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are reacting to this statement by saying it would violate the religion’s rules to accept this treatment. JWs have famously refused blood transfusions since 1945 even when they’re needed to save their own lives. The religion’s leaders are now saying plasma is included in that ban. The watchdog site JWsurvey obtained a “leaked memo from a Jehovah’s Witness Circuit Overseer” sent to local leaders: Do you think ALMIGHTY GOD really means this ?

You females are still deliberately bypassing the point. YOUR own Org, said YAHWEH was more likely to be correct. But they don't want to use what is more likely to be correct. So I agree with your Org that Yahweh is more likely to be correct. You see, the difference between your outlook and mine is this, You conform to your GB and it's Org and therefore you are given CCJW answers even before you ask questions. It's a bit like scientists being paid to do research, but the one paying tells the scientists what result they MUST find. So it is in the CCJW, you are allowed to do research, but you MUST come up with the answers that the GB tell you to. Whereas I am now in the position of having an open mind and being able to consider all possibilities. I am not restricted to obeying men, not threatened with being shunned or d/fed. JW Insider seems to sit on the fence between those two choices, but you ladies seem to just follow the CCJW where ever it leads you. Srecko is a great 'breath of fresh air and life' here, because he has his totally independent viewpoint. One thing that is becoming abundantly clearer to me is the fact that the CCJW / W/t Soc' is American. So it seems that JWs, American or not, are very influenced by this American attitude of having to be right. Even if in the 'small print' they admit to being wrong, they still have to push this idea of being right. That point has been made so clear by the GB, with the Child Sexual Abuse problems. And it spreads from that into other things. The attitude of JWs on here, being so self righteous and insulting. Each of us should use the name for God that we honestly feel is right. If any of you are only using the name you are told to use, then IMO, it shows a lack of personal relationship with God. Please remember, i have no hate for any of you, I may feel disappointment but i will have to deal with that, I wish you all well.

Not that this relates, or even that anyone will believe it but :- Whilst trying to do some research i read an experience online, about a lady householder that was called on by two female JWs. The topic of God's name came up and the householder said that God's name is Yahweh. To cut this shot, the outcome was that the two female JWs accused the householder of not being interested in making God's name known, just because the householder would not accept the name Jehovah as being God's name. So, it does show how it affects situations / conversations. The householder may never speak to JWs again.

Quote @JW Insider " I get the feeling you are only interested in the opinions that make it seem like the WTS is wrong, " BUT, the CCJW / W/t Soc' have said that Yahweh is most probably right, but that they want to stick with the name Jehovah. Posted Friday at 03:32 PM Quote from your comment. " I don't know that Yahweh is correct. I only agree with the Watchtower publications that say Yahweh is more likely than Yehowah based on Hebrew pronunciation patterns for that particular sequence of consonants. " So how am i "only interested in the opinions that make it seem like the WTS is wrong, " If the W/t are saying that Yahweh is more likely correct, then I'm agreeing with them. As for Yeshua, yes it would be showing more respect to 'Jesus'. But imo, not so important as God's real name. The main point being that the CCJW / W/t, 'pretend' that they have been 'given' God's name by God Himself. This idea that God has taken out a people for His name, becomes ridiculous if the name they use is wrong, it just shows they were not and are not inspired of God. And when the GB / CCJW /W/t admit that Yahweh is more likely correct, but stick to what it then seems even they believe to be incorrect, it makes no sense. A people for HIS name but using the wrong name. If the Org / W/t hadn't put in writing that they believe Yahweh is more correct. then no one would have known. But to admit to actually knowing that Yahweh is more correct, but still saying they have God's name is hypocrisy..

So nice that you should think of me Untrue Tom H.