Evacuated

Quite agree. Prostrating oneself involves more Prostrate oneself 1. Lit. to lay oneself out in respect or obedience in front of someone or something. Fall down to drop or topple.

Of Course not. But whatever Jesus liked in the vision is what the vision contains. This to me is an uninspired interpretation and carries no more weight of itself than any other uninspired interpretation. No. Do you see yourself as a hunting-dog? Surely not! So you must be aware that red herrings actually are ineffectual and really serve at best as a time waster. I don't waste my time on red herrings as a rule. The scripture at Rev 21:2-4 says that God WILL wipe out every tear from their eyes and that death WILL be no more an experience for obedient mankind on earth AFTER New Jerusalem becomes fully influential in matters. "New Jerusalem", spoken elsewhere as the "bride of Christ" (Rev. 21:9-1), is actually the anointed congregation of the firstborn which brings us back to Rev 14:1-5 and then Rev 7:4 once again. Those "victorious faithful" receiving a heavenly reward, receive this before the rest of mankind receive theirs, as they are first fruits to the Lamb. Once resurrected to heavenly life, they have no tears to wipe as there are no tears in heaven, or death for that matter. They are then in a position to serve as kings and priests along with Christ Jesus, and will commence work to extend the blessings described at Rev 21:2-4 to all obedient mankind in a 1000 year rehabilitation (tear and death removal) program for the earth and its inhabitants. This will include all those resurrected to earthly life during that time, along with those survivors of the "great tribulation" described at (you guessed it) Rev 7:9,14. So that's about it from me on this subject @Ann O'Maly I will respond to any other comments you care to make..........unless, of course, I smell something....er....fishy............

The answer to this question is simple: We do not know! "Only Jehovah could keep a man alive and well for three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish!" (Imitate Their Faiith. p113 para 21) There is a bit of speculation here: http://www.kjvtextualtechnology.com/f--verifying-the-big-fish-experience-of-jonah.php but that is all it is. The effect of pressure is the most interesting aspect for me but ........whatever.

Be fair, probably considered it........... and rejected it.

Thanks for the links. Most interesting. And I agree with your point about inherent badness (or not). I think the other point you made about collective conscience is a valid one also. As for the "risk of" an " ecclesiastical slap " ? Well, that doesn't bother me too much. (Why does this remind me of Confirmation, RC style?). However, conscience of others is an important issue for anyone professing to be a Christian. Paul makes this clear in his discussions in 1 Cor.8-9. So I am quite happy to adopt a course of conduct that avoids offending others even if I do not share their scruples as long as the principle expressed at Acts 5:29 is not violated (according to my conscience). There are many substitutions that can be made for the words "food" and "eat" at 1 Cor 8:9, and I take seriously the words at 1 Cor 8:11-13 (with appropriate additional substitutions also).

I can do what I like in a dream. It is now (and since at least the latter part of the 1st C I understand). Paul's words served to enlighten on the application of Gen 3:15 once he wrote them. Certainly the time and place is relevant to what he said WHEN he said it. Such words would have had no direct application if written say, 100 years earlier, as there was no one to apply them to at that time. I am only illustrating that an explanation of earlier prophecy can come later than that prophecy, and is therefore relevant to time and place. I am not discussing whether something is part of the inspired record or not. Explanation or interpretation of prophecy does not need to be inspired in the sense that scripture is. ( comp.2Pet. 1:21). There are no humans in heaven. Rev.21:3-4. The "no tears" experience here happens to "mankind" after Armageddon. Those from among mankind who get resurrected to the heavens will leave their "tears" behind once that happens.

Think so. But what makes legislated matters right or wrong is how we feel about them isn't it That's how I understand part of the excercise of conscience and my freedom to do so? My conscience can tolerate this as part of "Ceasar's" administrative structure of the day. After all I don't try to alter the calendar systems of other countries when I travel abroad. However, compliance with the fact that an "ancient Germanic goddess's name was retained for a Christian festival" is a bridge too far for me.

Not while they are human. You are just demonstrating the flexibility of dreams. The time and place bit...? Well...Scriptural canon may be locked down, but understanding moves with time and place. e.g. I would suggest Gen 3:15 was pretty obscure for a long time. But thousands of years after its utterance, Paul demonstrated insight as to its application at Romans 16:20. (I am citing this as an example. I am not looking to argue about correctness of interpretation at this point.) That's why I say I don't expect everyone else to see what I see. I checked out the Bishop of Durham. Eloquent and interesting, but as you say, mainstream.

Most recent I have noted is WT 15 July 2015. 8 We find Paul’s vision described at 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. (Read.) What Paul saw in a supernatural vision was referred to as a revelation. It involved a future event, not something that existed in his day. When Paul “was caught away to the third heaven,” what “paradise” did he see? The paradise that Paul spoke about would have a physical, a spiritual, and a heavenly fulfillment, all of which will coexist in the future. It can refer to the physical, earthly Paradise yet to come. (Luke 23:43) It can also refer to the spiritual paradise that will be experienced to the full in the new world. Additionally, it can refer to the blessed conditions in heaven in “the paradise of God.”—Rev. 2:7. 9 Why, though, did Paul say that he had “heard words that cannot be spoken and that are not lawful for a man to say”? It was not the time for him to explain in detail the marvelous things that he had seen in that vision. But today it is lawful to speak of the blessings that now exist among God’s people! 10 The expression “spiritual paradise” has become a part of our theocratic vocabulary. It describes our unique, spiritually rich environment, or condition, which allows us to enjoy peace with God and with our brothers. Of course, we should not conclude that the terms “spiritual paradise” and “spiritual temple” are the same. The spiritual temple is God’s arrangement for true worship. The spiritual paradise serves to identify clearly those who have God’s approval and who are today serving him at his spiritual temple.—Mal. 3:18. 11 How exciting it is to know that since 1919, Jehovah has allowed imperfect humans to work with him in cultivating, strengthening, and expanding the spiritual paradise on earth! Do you see yourself playing a part in this marvelous work? Are you moved to continue working with Jehovah in glorifying ‘the place for his feet’?

Where do you people live?????????????????????

Why doesn't this say: "Doctors under fire for failing to provide bloodless surgery in liver transplant procedure for terminally ill seven year old boy"?

How do you think Daniel 9:1-2 relates to this scenario?

So...Is it Biblically Supported?

Do you attach a commencement date to these events? i.e. When was Jesus enthroned?, When did the last days begin?

Thanks for sharing your opinion.

OK @Shiwiii. Thanks for that. Although I think Nicole was just raising a topic rather than seeking direction? Hey @Nicole can you clarify?

Ah yes I see what you mean,. So it's not a stand alone status that Ptolemy has. It's in tandem with other sources. Great, I understand that now. Thanks

What I saw in the Insight book vol 1 p454 is: The date of 539 B.C.E. for the fall of Babylon can be arrived at not only by Ptolemy's canon but by other sources as well. Is that the reference you meant @Shiwii?

???

Depends how you feel as this is a matter for individual conscience. A fortune cookie is nothing but an small, edible biscuit or cake of sorts, usually made from made from flour, sugar, vanilla, and sesame seed oil. They traditionally contain a short script consisting of a vaguely "prophetic" message or "wise" saying. The Wikipedia article on fortune cookies states that there are "approximately 3 billion fortune cookies made each year around the world, the vast majority of them used for consumption in the United States". It goes on to suggest that, although apparently a relatively modern American custom, there may be connection with a Japanese Buddhist or Shinto temple practice of dispensing (for money) random fortunes written on strips of paper (omuji). These sayings can predict favorable or unfavorable outcomes for the participant. Probably the easiest comparison would be to the vague predictions found in the popular horoscope articles frequently seen in the popular press. Not many would deny having never, ever, looked at one of these, even if to ridicule its content. However, others, without the benefit of a relationship with Jehovah and an insight into demonic practices, may take these means of "divination" very seriously, regardless of their impotency. Some now serving Jehovah, may have formerly taken these matters very seriously and have allowed such messages to exert a powerful influence in their lives. Although in the case of fortune cookies, obviously the cookie itself has no power, they might still find that the practice, (especially if they read the message) could trigger an association and they might be tempted to look for some application of an "uncanny" or superstitious influence in their lives. A person with such a background would do well to avoid fortune cookies altogether. In the light of Jehovah's viewpoint on such matters, clearly expressed at De.18:10-13, there is no reason why Christians would ever pay money for prophecies or wise sayings about future events from sources clearly described as demonic. Some may see this as including the purchase of fortune cookies, even under the guise of "fun". Paying money could be viewed as contributing to the promotion of a practice rooted in superstition.. But, what if these cookies are given free in a restaurant as part of the presentation of a meal? Well, eating the cookie while discarding the message is one option, Who would know apart from the staff? (What would they think if they had seen you asking a blessing before eating?). Alternatively, it would be an easy matter to decline these items, or to return them if unsolicited. What if the group sharing a meal are not all servants of Jehovah, such as at a family or workplace outing? This is a bit more complicated but a minor trial thinking of what some of our brothers face. We might want to avoid these cookies in that situation because we do not want to stumble others for any reason, whether giving the wrong impression, or encouraging them to do something which could be detrimental in Jehovah's eyes. Compare 1 Cor 8:13. We may take the opportunity to explain why as a witness to them. Or, we could explain to the group our scriptural view of divination and magic, and how cookies are cookies regardless of a silly message, then throwaway the paper and scoff the cookie! It really is up to the individual. So, ..............fortune cookie anyone?

You understood me right JW Insider. I certainly do not think current GB have 'thought more of themselves as is necessary to think' in order to make sense out of Jesus words at Matt 24:45-47. But I also believe that it was necessary for the GB to not think less of themselves than it was necessary to think in order to correct what was (for me) the rather clumsy notion that the faithful and discreet slave could be over the domestics and be the domestics at the same time. Anyway, I agree wholeheartedly with your statement:

I really like this, @Anke Adolphi It has application to those who have just had their spiritual eyes opened and are new to the truth. They may say things that surprise us, or reflect a lack of understanding of perspective, but they are being honest and we need to support them and help them to round out their spiritual comprehension without damaging their spirit. Like the young man's father.........................Matt. 18:6.

Rom. 12:3-8 Sometimes, we just don't think enough of ourselves as we should, don't you think?

I don't in this case, as I have made my own decision on this matter. (Rom.12:1). However, I was responding to your comment: As a synonym for "necessarily" is "undoubted", this could be written as "it does not undoubtedly mean". This to me means that you are saying that the evidence is not conclusive as to whether there is a connection between paganism and Easter customs. On that basis, the decision to participate becomes a matter of personal choice, or, as I would term it, a matter of conscience. My question was to clarify your intended meaning on the basis of that choice of expression. This further suggestion on http://www.koshabq.org/2012/03/09/celebrating-eostre/ is relevant for me, "This Ostarâ, like the AS. Eástre, must in the heathen religion have denoted a higher being, whose worship was so firmly rooted, that the christian teachers tolerated the name, and applied it to one of their own grandest anniversaries." For me, that insight is sufficient for me to reject the whole _ _ _ _ _ _* parade! *(Please fill in the blanks)

Jesus prayed for those he did not know. (John 17:20) “I make request, not concerning these only, but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word," Jehovah will even answer our sincere prayers when we do not know what to specifically pray for. (Romans 8:26, 27) "In like manner, the spirit also joins in with help for our weakness; for the problem is that we do not know what we should pray for as we need to, but the spirit itself pleads for us with unuttered groanings. 27 But the one who searches the hearts knows what the meaning of the spirit is, because it is pleading in harmony with God for the holy ones." So there is no dilemma....Thankfully! I'd say that was right.