Melinda Mills

All I can say it that we must love the people; keep honing your skills, as we are being taught at the meetings. Use the telephone and any other safe methods to reach more people. When I was in Trinidad an old Chinese sister who was a pioneer (she died a couple of years ago) would say: " God is not going to kill any sheep. So if you want the end to come keep preaching." Jesus also used to say: "The good news of the Kingdom has to be preached first." The owner of the symbolic vineyard is Jehovah God, and jointly his Son, Jesus. They are the ones that know when it will have been preached sufficiently. I will also again add what Jesus said in Acts 1:7, below: *** Bible Citations *** 6 So when they had assembled, they asked him: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them: “It does not belong to you to know the times or seasons that the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction. 8 But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Ju·deʹa and Sa·marʹi·a, and to the most distant part of the earth.” 9 After he had said these things, while they were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud caught him up from their sight. Also what he said at Matthew 24:36-42 36 “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38 For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39 and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. 41 Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. 42 Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 “But know one thing: If the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 On this account, you too prove yourselves ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it. " As Rook would say: " It is crystal clear", we are not going to know when the end will come. Jesus warned us that he will come at an hour that "YOU" (meaning his disciples/true Christians) do not think to be it. And we know already why he is not going to say.

I agree with what is stated by Rozz above and will add some further research. Christians pay taxes for services rendered by governmental authorities. (Matthew 22:15-22) 15 Then the Pharisees went and conspired together in order to trap him in his speech. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, together with party followers of Herod, saying: “Teacher, we know you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and you do not seek anyone’s favor, for you do not look at the outward appearance of people. 17 Tell us, then, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay head tax to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said: “Why do you put me to the test, hypocrites? 19 Show me the tax coin.” They brought him a de·narʹi·us. 20 He said to them: “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 They said: “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them: “Pay back, therefore, Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” 22 When they heard that, they were amazed, and they left him and went away. Cooperating with authorities re the census *** it-2 pp. 766-767 Registration *** At the Time of Jesus’ Birth. Two registrations are mentioned in the Christian Greek Scriptures as taking place after Judea came under subjection to Rome. Such were not merely to ascertain population figures but, rather, were mainly for purposes of taxation and conscription of men for military service. Concerning the first of these we read: “Now in those days [c. 2 B.C.E.] a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus for all the inhabited earth to be registered; (this first registration took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria;) and all people went traveling to be registered, each one to his own city.” (Lu 2:1-3) This edict of the emperor proved providential, for it compelled Joseph and Mary to journey from the city of Nazareth to Bethlehem in spite of the fact that Mary was then heavy with child; thus Jesus was born in the city of David in fulfillment of prophecy.—Lu 2:4-7; Mic 5:2. End Quote In accordance with Proverbs 21:1 God can use kings or those in authority to carry out his will as we see in Micah 5:2. It was foretold 500 years before the birth of Jesus that he would be born in Bethlehem, although Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth. That verse says: (Proverbs 21:1) “A king’s heart is like streams of water in Jehovah’s hand. He directs it wherever He pleases.” God can use rulers who don’t fear him to carry out his will wittingly or unwittingly. Note that Joseph and Mary obeyed and undertook to travel many miles even though she was heavy with child. This meant a trip that, on present roads, covers a distance of about 150 km (93 mi) through hilly country. So we have two pre-Christian servants of God who saw the need to cooperate with the census. They had to travel, pay taxes and comply with the census. Now this is Paul speaking to Christians (including Jews and proselytes who had become such) who by that time were no longer under the Law of Moses (the Law having being fulfilled by Christ’s death). Romans 3: 24 So the Law became our guardian leading to Christ, so that we might be declared righteous through faith. 25 But now that the faith has arrived, we are no longer under a guardian. 26 You are all, in fact, sons of God through your faith in Christ Jesus. (Romans 13:1-14) “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. Do you want to be free of fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; 4 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. 5 There is therefore compelling reason for you to be in subjection, not only on account of that wrath but also on account of your conscience. 6 That is why you are also paying taxes; for they are God’s public servants constantly serving this very purpose. 7 Render to all their dues: to the one who calls for the tax, the tax; to the one who calls for the tribute, the tribute; to the one who calls for fear, such fear; to the one who calls for honor, such honor.” Add to that the census which is of a similar nature to calling for the tax, calling for fear, or compliance, honour, etc. We are in no position to look into their minds to see what they are using the taxes for or what they are going to achieve with the census. It is their right to call for it if they wish. And that is all I am going to say about that.

Why did you have to post it. Just read Romans chapter 13 and see that Christians are supposed to cooperate with the Government where they live. They are not uncooperative or ungovernable, they are spectacles to angels and men - in other words good examples.

That was very encouraging!

Closed club? Anna, what's happening here.

When you keep calling someone "old hen" you are not behaving, Tom. And I don't even know who it is.

Worship was restricted because of respect for life; this was enforced by the authorities, as they are the only ones who can enforce it.

Interesting thoughts. We all have to wait and see. But we have to keep working and watching. Don't be carried away by one sign. Keep studying the signs Jesus gave us. He is not going to add anymore. All will be fulfilled.

So how was the League of Nations and the United Nations formed in 1919 and 1945 respectively, if this scripture was not already fulfilled? And what about the scarlet coloured wild beast which mimics the 7-headed 10-horn wild beast? Think again. We already said that was the United Nations copying in its formation the former beast whose death-stroke was healed. Pretty illustrations and an attempt at fresh thinking, but you can't reinvent the wheel. You have to go back to basics and come again.

That was so sweet James! Will send you this video a brother from New Zealand just sent. But remember this scripture: (Ephesians 4:23, 24) And you should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude, 24 and should put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty. You make changes daily and gradually. It is not hard. You probably had to change your thinking in some way in order to write a nice post like that. I endorse the two other posts above also. I think you said things like that before. But you are still here. I am not saying 'Bye. Listen to this lovely video. Hope it plays! IMG_25941.MOV

You are already out into the wilderness with this expectation/interpretation. Where will Russia fit in?

I think I heard that they were instructed to stay in their rooms a few weeks ago.

I also got it a few days ago but no one seems to be able to verify it. So although it is information we would wish to share, I did not share it.

For those like me who wish to know where in the world this is: The Internet said: St Budeaux is an area and ward in the north west of Plymouth in the English county of Devon. Hope it is the correct one, as there is a Plymouth in many countries.

What is it? A KH with church windows? Somebody can't type?

Nothing is too hard for Jehovah. As Bro Rook has said, the person would have to die first to be resurrected. Just as persons who have been atomized, persons who have been eaten by animals and fish, persons who died in the sea, etc., are going to be resurrected to life on earth where we can see them and associate with them, so will any persons in God's memory who will have died in space. Remember a space ship blew up in 1986 (Challenger, I think) with several persons on board. Don't think it was very far out of earth's atmosphere but a good example still of people who did not die on earth. Wherever death occurred, Jehovah can undo it. The universe belongs to Him and his Son. who has been entrusted with the resurrection, has it as his inheritance.

Saw one of the governing body members doing it on a platform yesterday. I think it was Bro Lett.

This was taken for granted in the answers above - that they personally will not vote. But going into the polling station is another matter. And no one but God and the superior authorities knows what he has done in the booth. More reason for updates and further directives if this is a problem for overseers, and validating why Bro Rook wants to see something more detailed written.

"There may be people who are stumbled when they observe that during an election in their country, some Witnesses of Jehovah go to the polling booth and others do not. They may say, ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses are not consistent.’ People should recognize, though, that in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God.—Romans 14:12. Whatever personal decisions Jehovah’s Witnesses make in the face of different situations, they take care to preserve their Christian neutrality and freeness of speech. In all things, they rely on Jehovah God to strengthen them, give them wisdom, and help them avoid compromising their faith in any way. Thus they show confidence in the words of the psalmist: “You are my crag and my stronghold; and for the sake of your name you will lead me and conduct me.”—Psalm 31:3." - 1999 Watchtower quoted above. Clearly it is a matter between a person and God, and it is acknowledged in this article. Probably the reason for no answer. Therefore whoever is trying to judge or sanction a person for using his conscience is putting themselves before God and is being Pharisaical. So don't belabour the point nor don't expect anyone to, just leave it. Most people, as usual, won't want to say anything about it anyway. You know that already.

And the majority of the ones who judge others have not read these articles, or thought the matter through carefully.

Witnesses did not predict anything. The magazine highlighted what the experts said - their educated guess - and brought it to the attention of the readers of Awake magazine, like they do with many important and timely subjects. Get over it!

Thanks for these statistics, Isabella.

King does not necessarily refer to one person. Check Daniel and see that it can refer to a world power/powerful kingdom. (Daniel 7:17, 18) 17 “‘These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will stand up from the earth. 18 But the holy ones of the Supreme One will receive the kingdom, and they will possess the kingdom forever, yes, forever and ever.’ Media-Persia, Greece, Rome, Britain-America (Anglo-American) But I agree it can also refer to the King of a great world power. *** it-1 p. 70 Alexander *** “A male of the goats . . . proceeded to strike down the ram and to break its two horns.” “The ram that you saw possessing the two horns stands for the kings of Media and Persia. And the hairy he-goat stands for the king of Greece.” (Da 8:5, 7, 20, 21) After defeating the Medo-Persian forces twice in Asia Minor, Alexander’s army pushed first to the S and then to the E, completely conquering the Medo-Persian Empire

Don't get carried away over it. Man is ruining the earth and God will soon ruin those who keep doing it. Rev. 11: 18 says: (Revelation 11:18) But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” I endorse the points Anna raised; however about the ground being cursed it seems that the Watchtower is saying otherwise, see quote below: *** w17 June p. 8 par. 17 Jehovah Provides Comfort in All Our Trials *** 17 Young ones who learn to love the true God and to follow his counsel can become a source of comfort in a family. They can do so by showing respect for their parents and by helping in material ways. They can also make a valuable spiritual contribution. Before the Flood, Seth’s descendant Lamech worshipped Jehovah. That family man said of his son Noah: “[He] will bring us comfort from our labor and from the painful toil of our hands because of the ground that Jehovah has cursed.” That prophecy was fulfilled when the curse on the ground was lifted. (Gen. 5:29; 8:21) On a more personal level, children who pursue true worship can prove to be sources of comfort in their families, helping all to endure present trials and then to survive something greater than the Flood. End quote Due to lack of knowledge and wickedness, man has ruined the earth by his ignorant mistreatment of it. Governments try to educate people on the right way to treat land, where to build, etc., and people fail to listen. They prefer to listen to "soaps" and things like that, whereas educational documentaries and directives are not listened to. And they don't like reading God's Word nor man's. Solomon talked about the benefit of knowledge; Jesus said it would lead to everlasting life (John 17:3) So we need knowledge and we need righteous people and righteous government to implement knowledge.This would not happen until God's Kingdom is holding sway. Wicked people and governments have to be removed and righteous government (by God and his Son) has to be in place for the prophecies to be fulfilled. (Dan 2:44) God is not going to make Satan's system and rule look successful by intervening in the affairs of this world. He will do it under his righteous rule. As was stated by Anna, Jesus the King of the new earth will speak to the wind and will control all the elements. Obedient mankind will also contribute to this, as the prophecy says in Isaiah 11:6-9. (Mark 4:37-41) 37 Now a great violent windstorm broke out, and the waves kept crashing into the boat, so that the boat was close to being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, sleeping on the pillow. So they woke him up and said to him: “Teacher, do you not care that we are about to perish?” 39 With that he got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea: “Hush! Be quiet!” And the wind abated, and a great calm set in. 40 So he said to them: “Why are you so afraid? Do you not yet have any faith?” 41 But they felt an unusual fear, and they said to one another: “Who really is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him.” This will also apply to all other natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, forest fires, etc. The causes of these things will be no more. Knowledge of looking after the earth and its environment will be taught everywhere. Love for God, neighbour and the animal creation will be abundant. Isaiah 11:6-9:  The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb, And with the young goat the leopard will lie down, And the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together; And a little boy will lead them. 7 The cow and the bear will feed together, And their young will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the bull. 8 The nursing child will play over the lair of a cobra, And a weaned child will put his hand over the den of a poisonous snake. 9 They will not cause any harm Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea. 10 In that day the root of Jesʹse will stand up as a signal for the peoples. To him the nations will turn for guidance, And his resting-place will become glorious. Eccl 7:12 For wisdom is a protection just as money is a protection, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner. (Isaiah 26:9) In the night I long for you with my whole being, Yes, my spirit keeps looking for you; For when there are judgments from you for the earth, The inhabitants of the land learn about righteousness.

We should consider the below advice before we go further on this. *** w89 5/15 p. 31 Questions From Readers *** ... We should find in this a caution for all of us. Ethnic or national prejudice may abound around us. (Compare John 7:47-52.) We likely hear neighbors, schoolmates, or fellow workers make categorical remarks about another people, such as, ‘Oh, those northerners are all cold and unfeeling’; ‘Well, you know how proud those southerners are’; or, ‘It’s risky to trust those people from across the border.’ We must strive to avoid giving in to broad characterizations that are probably unfounded or greatly exaggerated. Some may be more outgoing and expressive, others more reserved or slow to warm up to strangers. Yet, we should remember that some of our Christian brothers are no doubt to be found among the people of that ethnic group or nationality, as well as many others who have not yet become true Christians but who have admirable traits and who hunger for righteousness. The apostle Peter stressed the fact that “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34, 35) We can be absolutely sure that Paul agreed with that, reflecting the same outlook in his writings and speech. So should we.