John Lindsay Barltrop

@Allen Smith .......a little bit more on that "christian" Constantine, from a W/T: “Constantine never became a Christian,” states the encyclopedia Hidria, adding: “Eusebius of Caesarea, who wrote his biography, says that he became a Christian in the last moments of his life. This doesn’t hold water, as the day before, [Constantine] had made a sacrifice to Zeus because he also had the title Pontifex Maximus.” ...................."Constantine sensed that the “Christian” religion—albeit apostate and deeply corrupted by then—could be effectively utilized as a revitalizing and uniting force to serve his grand scheme for imperial domination. Adopting the foundations of apostate Christianity to gain support in furthering his own political ends, he decided to unify the people under one “catholic,” or universal, religion. Pagan customs and celebrations were given “Christian” names. And “Christian” clergymen were given the status, salary, and influential clout of pagan priests. Seeking religious harmony for political reasons, Constantine quickly crushed any dissenting voices, not on the grounds of doctrinal truth, but on the basis of majority acceptance. The profound dogmatic differences within the badly divided “Christian” church gave him the opportunity to intervene as a “God-sent” mediator. Through his dealings with the Donatists in North Africa and the followers of Arius in the eastern portion of the empire, he quickly discovered that persuasion was not enough to forge a solid, unified faith. It was in an attempt to resolve the Arian controversy that he convened the first ecumenical council in the history of the church."
Another couple of interesting points, also came to light in this article: under the heading, Dynastic Murders
"Under this heading, the work Istoria tou Ellinikou Ethnous (History of the Greek Nation) describes what it calls “disgusting domestic crimes that Constantine committed.” Soon after founding his dynasty, he forgot how to enjoy unexpected achievement and became aware of the dangers surrounding him. Being a suspicious person and perhaps egged on by sycophants, he first grew suspicious of his nephew Licinianus—the son of a co-Augustus he had already executed—as a possible rival. His murder was followed by the execution of Constantine’s own firstborn son, Crispus, who was dealt with by his stepmother Fausta because he seemed to be an obstruction to her own offspring’s total power.
  This action of Fausta was finally the reason for her own dramatic death. It appears that Augusta Helena, who had influence over her son Constantine until the end, was involved in this murder. The illogical emotions that often controlled Constantine also contributed to the spate of executions of many of his friends and associates. The book History of the Middle Ages concludes: “The execution—not to say murder—of his own son and his wife indicates that he was untouched by any spiritual influence in Christianity.”" (my highlights in bold type)
 

When doing my preparation for this weeks meeting I noticed a reference to Daniel 3:1 of the 27m high image that Nebuchadnezzar made, (possible of himself), on the plain of Dura, although not an obelisk, as such, I thought it worth a mention.

Is this RUSSIA, or IRAN, or SYRIA...............nooooo............its America the free??????...........was the Dr. mistaken for Kim Jong Un??????

Ouch!!!!

I am not sure where Brother Lett is Witnessing..........but, I did notice, no ties...........I like that idea........especially if one is witnessing in temperatures of 350C to 400C+ .............many days in summer, that's what sort of temperatures we have to work in..........WITH ties...........not funny especilly when it is high humidity as well !!!!

This conversation is OVER, James
Go back to your gun loving glee club, and enjoy sleeping with your armoury.

WHAT A BAD, SAD, HORRIBLE  WORLD????????
PEOPLE NEVER CAN WORK IT....    JEHOVAH,  PLEASE COME SOON?? 

Go figure it out. If you can't, I do feel sorry for you.

I am pleased to see that your Christian personality is is shinning through.........or is it your true personality???

BREAKING NEWS.....
THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW JEHOVAH,  AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING !

1000  Manuscripts  found!...

........perhaps they did that to those that they massacred at the "Mountain Meadows ".........it may have helped their conscience???

I have just come home from a delayed, video Special Meeting, that was from the Australasian Branch, Bethel in Sydney, it was very upbuilding and faith strengthening. The Special Talk was given by Brother Patrick LaFranca, an assistant to the GB. Towards the end of his talk, which happened to be "All Things are Possible with God"........he spoke of our brothers in Russia, a number of key points that I noted were:
1. This should come as no surprise to us, (John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. He then used (1 Peter 4:12-14)  Beloved ones, do not be surprised about the fiery trials that you are experiencing, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 On the contrary, go on rejoicing over the extent to which you are sharers in the sufferings of the Christ, so that you may rejoice and be overjoyed also during the revelation of his glory. 14 If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, yes, the spirit of God, is resting upon you.
2. Our Brothers in Russia are joyful and are enduring and they will keep on preaching the Good News of God's Kingdom, irrespective of the outcome. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) 2 For although we had first suffered and been insolently treated in Phi·lipʹpi, as you know, we mustered up boldness by means of our God to tell you the good news of God in the face of much opposition. 
 
3. There are positive reports in the media, including many in the Russian media, and the world is taking notice of the unity of Jehovah's Witnesses..........the Brother pointed out that this is a miracle..........that the world could not do it.......BUT, as the title of the talk said "All things are possible with God" (Revelation 14:6, 7) . . .And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. 7 He was saying in a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of judgment by him has arrived, so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and the springs of water.”
 I think that Brother LaFranca's words are a true source of encouragement for all of us.
 

Thank you very much for that interesting discussion on elephants..............marvellous thing this "evolution"......NOT........we certainly should marvel at these creations, all praise going to our grand Creator, Jehovah.

Thank you very much for that interesting discussion on elephants..............marvellous thing this "evolution"......NOT........we certainly should marvel at these creations, all praise going to our grand Creator, Jehovah.

Yes Queen Esther, as you said very, very rare in this system , BUT, common place in Jehovah's new order when man and the animal creation will be at peace with one another..........that will certainly be something to behold.

Isn't the resurrection a marvelous hope that we hold on to Queen Esther. Thinking of those times we will see our loved ones once again..........to many, that is too good to be true..........but, we, as avid students of God's Word, have that firm faith that our Almighty and merciful God, Jehovah, will indeed bring this about through His son, Jesus Christ, king of God's Kingdom, who showed the power he has over death, with three resurrections, whilst a perfect man, when he was on earth. What better testimony could we have?......NONE!..........."Just Around the Corner"

...........and just think..........no rasPutins, or Donald "Ducks"!!!!!

That is not a Kingdom Hall.  

Does the theme of these two paintings remind you of any thing????
They are from "The Augsburg Book of Miraculous Signs reveals a 16th Century society gripped by anxieties that we can relate to" in the book of Revelation. I just thought it interesting when I looked at the last post from Bible Speaks..........I happened to come across this when I was looking at the on-line digital BBC News, under Culture. 


PS. "Giant locusts swarm around a jagged aquamarine mountain. Great whales and strange beasts flounder amid stormy seas. Inky skies rain hailstones and blood. These bizarre and terrifying visions are found in the Augsburg Book of Miraculous Signs, also called the Book of Miracles. It is a beautifully illustrated manuscript created in the German city in the mid-16th Century but only recently discovered and now collected in a new edition, by Till-Holger Borchert and Joshua P Waterman."

Sorry   I don't care to argue with apostates who use the same type of questioning that Satan used. The "Ministry of Justice is now being influenced by Dvorkin and other anti-cultist apostates and the trial clearly showed now for the world to see that they, all anti-cultist apostates, are all liars and have baseless claims. 

Tom, it is interesting you should say that, in our Public Talk yesterday, the speaker brought out that there are several organisations in Australia, and in deed, many more, throughout the world, that are in opposition to organised religion as a whole............several scriptures were used from Revelation.
My thoughts were that maybe...........just maybe.........these organisations, in hand with communistic countries, (who thought religion was the "opium" of the people, with Russia and China on the UN Security Council and other countries who sit on it for a two year term), could eventually influence the UN to act against "Babylon the Great."..........but, however it plays out, we know that it is Jehovah's will that WILL take place 

Tom, it is interesting you should say that, in our Public Talk yesterday, the speaker brought out that there are several organisations in Australia, and in deed, many more, throughout the world, that are in opposition to organised religion as a whole............several scriptures were used from Revelation.
My thoughts were that maybe...........just maybe.........these organisations, in hand with communistic countries, (who thought religion was the "opium" of the people, with Russia and China on the UN Security Council and other countries who sit on it for a two year term), could eventually influence the UN to act against "Babylon the Great."..........but, however it plays out, we know that it is Jehovah's will that WILL take place 

My Friends and Brothers, she's already burning! Just be amazed we are down to the last minutes! Jehovah's got the power, it will never fail. Let Satan and his hordes try to stop it? No, it's been 1,000's of years he's done. Are we not glad to have a King ? Christ Jesus already mounted on his horse? Keep the Faith, it will never fail! Thank you Jehovah you have done well!
???⚔️???

"For then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21)
What happens after the great tribulation is cut short? Jesus explained that several events will happen before Armageddon begins. These events are mentioned at Ezekiel 38:14-16 andMatthew 24:29-31. 
Then we will see Armageddon. The battle of Armageddon is the climax of the great tribulation, just as the destruction of Jerusalem was the climax of the first fulfillment of the prophecy. (Malachi 4:1) 
The great tribulation, with Armageddon as its climax, will be an event such as has not happened “since the world’s beginning.” (Matthew 24:21) After it happens, Christ will rule as King for 1,000 years.
    SOME EXPRESSIONS EXPLAINED
Great tribulation: The end of this wicked world. First, false religion will be destroyed. Then, there will be a time when Jesus will judge the sheep and the goats and appoint his faithful slave over all the Master’s belongings. Finally, the rest of this system will be destroyed at Armageddon “Coming”: In Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Jesus is described as “coming,” or “arriving.” This refers to the time when he comes as Judge of all the nations during the great tribulation http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/402013530?q=matt+24%3A21&p=par

@Witness........it is worth considering the words of Jehovah, as spoke through the prophet Jeremiah at                          Jeremiah 26:12,13 . . .Jeremiah then said to all the princes and to all the people: “It was Jehovah who sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard. 13 So now, reform your ways and your actions and obey the voice of Jehovah your God, and Jehovah will change his mind concerning the calamity that he has spoken against you...............I guess as the Sovereign of the universe Jehovah can do whatever he wishes, BUT, one thing we can be sure of, is that His original purpose for our earth, will not be thwarted by anyone.